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Map of the history
of the Christianization of Europe
by James Mayfield (Chairman, European Heritage Library)
 Print
this Article About
the Author Bibliography/Sources
Below is an exclusive map
the EHL has published charting the main historical dating
of each modern culture in Europe, showing the major dates
at which time each specific European ethnicity converted from
its native religion to Christianity (Catholicism or Orthodoxy,
the two original forms of Christendom in Europe). By comparing
this exclusive map to our other maps, one can gain a greater
cultural understanding of European heritage, religion, and
cultural growth throughout the scope of global historical
evolution. If you have any questions about why certain countries
and peoples practice a certain faith, etc., notify us.
Mapping Information &
Extra Notes:
Charting an exclusive map of such a
topic is rather difficult. National boundaries have changed,
and many nations and even ethnic identities of today, such
as the modern nations of Macedonia and Greece, did not exist
when Christendom was first being propagated. As a result,
this map attempts to chart when Christendom was spread, and
by whom, to each region of Europe. The nation of Macedonia
for example, founded in 1993, was obviously not Christianized
by the ancient Romans. Therefore, this map shows when Christendom
entered the region, and was later adopted by the Slavs who
settled there and eventually created the Slavic nation of
Orthodox Macedonia. This will thus allow you to see how each
settling culture and each new nation evolved with this early
Christianization to form the nations and societies we recognize
today.
It is also very difficult to determine
exact dates and time. Christendom was likely spread to much
of Europe shortly after the death of St. Peter, generally
to no avail. As a result, this map only denotes periods of
intense conversion or especially the compulsory adoption of
Christendom by ethnic groups at the behest of their leaders.
Many cultures were converted in phases. One side may attribute
the conversion of the Czechs and Poles to the Germans, whilst
another may interpret that it was the Slavs themselves who
adopted Christendom. If this conflict exists, both are noted.
If you have any problems understanding the role of certain
nations these maps, feel free to reply or post a topic where
relevant.
Click the below map
for the full-size version! Click on the map to zoom.
If an error has been made,
please notify the EHL Staff.
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ABOUT
THE AUTHOR:
James Mayfield is a historian
and the Chairman of the European Heritage Library. I have
a Cum Laude BA in History with a Minor in Germanic Studies
(language and history), am presently working for my Masters
in History, and plan to immediately progress to my PhD Doctorate.
I have a special academic interest in Europe's diverse ethnic
identities, languages, and cultures, and the political struggles
of native European and immigrant minority identities. See
my staff entry for more information.
BIBLIOGRAPHY/SOURCES
USED:
The image used as the basis
of this map was produced by the United Nations, and is widely
reproduced and edited on many websites throughout the internet.
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