By AD 400, Christianity had spread throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, encompassing a vast geographic area. Here's a breakdown of its major regions of influence:
* Roman Empire: This was the core of Christianity's spread.
* Italy: Rome was the center of the Western Church.
* Gaul (modern France): Christianity was well-established.
* Hispania (modern Spain and Portugal): Christianity had a significant presence.
* North Africa: Important Christian centers like Carthage were thriving.
* Egypt: Alexandria was a major center of Christian theology.
* The Levant (modern Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria): The birthplace of Christianity continued to be a Christian heartland.
* Asia Minor (modern Turkey): Numerous Christian communities existed here, and it was the site of many early ecumenical councils.
* Greece: Another area with many early Christian communities.
* The Balkans: Christianity was spreading in this region.
* Beyond the Roman Empire:
* Ireland: Christian missionaries were active, and Christianity was beginning to take root.
* Armenia: Had adopted Christianity as its state religion in 301 AD.
* Georgia: Also adopted Christianity as its state religion in 337 AD.
* Ethiopia: The Kingdom of Aksum adopted Christianity in the early 4th century.
* Persia (modern Iran): Christianity was present, although often facing persecution.
It's important to note:
* The degree of Christianization varied greatly from region to region. Some areas had a majority Christian population, while others had smaller communities.
* The organization and practices of Christianity also varied across different regions.
In summary, by AD 400, Christianity had expanded from its origins in Judea throughout the Roman Empire and had begun to spread to neighboring regions, establishing itself as a major religious force in the Mediterranean world and beyond.