PAGAN CULTURE                                                                                                                       

The word pagan represents the Latin word “paganus”.  It is not only the root word of pagan but also of peasant.  The word “pagani” which also means pagan can be translated as “people of the place” who work to preserve their local customs.

*“Face of the Stars" & "Elements" can be purchased at  www.paganart.net                                                                                                                                                                                                    www.pagan-art.net

EXCLUSION  AND  PERSECUTION

 In order to prevent more people joining the pagan religion many legislators decided to tear down various temples where gods were thought to be found. In Constantinople a law was passed in 408 that took any money fro m the temples that were still standing and turned it over to the army. If paganism was a religion related to place leaders of this time worked to eradicate any pagan building as well as passing a law that made any kind of pagan celebration illegal (Chuvin 78-79).

An edict on November 14, 408 prevented pagans or more specifically “enemies of the Christian religion” from serving the palace. This made it dangerous for any high ranking official to be a pagan (Chuvin 78-79).  On December 7, 1416 pagans were made legally excluded from serving in the army, administration, and judiciary (Chuvin 91-93).

In the years 423, 435, 438, and 451 pagans who were caught making sacrifices were put to death.  The year 438 is particularly interesting because this law was reinforced during a famine.  People like the pagans were thought to be responsible for this because they were a “cult of demons,” (Chuvin 91-93).

INFLUENTIAL  PAGANS

Porphyr was a Oriental, Greek educated, pagan writer.  He wrote the “Philosophy of Oracles” which was a work that went against the ways of the Christian Church.  He was the first writer to write about a valid distinction between Christ and Christians.  He wrote in Sicily where paganism was very strong, however there were still many opponents of his writings and they were almost completely destroyed two times. In his writings he attacks Jesus’ disciples Peter and Paul for being cowardly, murderous, and full of contradictions (Geffcken 50-52).

Olympiodorus of Thebes was a poet and historian during the time of 407-425.  He was also a declared pagan who held official functions during a time when it could be dangerous to call yourself a pagan. He served as a ambassador and was sent to the Huns and also to Southern Egypt (Chuvin 94-95).

John the Inquisitor was not a influential pagan but rather a persecutor of pagans. In 542 he began his campaign of eradicating paganism. He started in the countryside and worked his way through the mountains and plains and destroyed many of the pagans “houses of idols” where they would go to worship.  He broke altars, destroyed idols and temples, and “cut down the many trees they use to worship,” (Chuvin 140-144). 

Severianus was a committed pagan who served as a tough judge in the Eastern provinces around the middle 400’s.  Serverianus is a important figure because when he lost his job in the government he was offered another by a official named Zeno on the condition that he denounce his faith. He said no.  His quest for moral righteousness led to his downfall when those who were more powerful than made sure that he got no where politically.  Despite this he has still been called a “middling hero for a lost cause (paganism),” (Chuvin 93-96).

PAGANISM  TODAY

ART-Pagan art is very popular in today’s culture.  It can be found all over the internet.  One such site is pagan-art.com which is mentioned above.  They provide people with pagan art from pagan artists.  They are also founders of a pagan organization. To visit the site and learn more about modern pagan art click  http://pagan-art.net/about.htm. 

MUSIC- Pagan music is also available for those who are interested.  Triskalia is a pagan band who bases their music on the themes of myth, magic and mysteries and how they interact with our lives in a modern context.  To visit their site and listen to some music click http://www.triskalia.com/. 

PAGAN  PRIDE- As mentioned above the pagans of previous days received a lot of criticism.  To combat this some practicing pagans have created a site to help deal with the discrimination that today’s pagans might receive.  To visit this site click http://www.paganpride.org/what/why.html.

GATHERINGS- There are many gatherings held all over California where pagans meet for festivals and holidays. If you are interested in learning more about the culture a great way to do that would be to visit a even. You can find out about these events by clicking on http://www.witchvox.com/festivals/ppdmodesto2003.html.  On the left toolbar of this site there are some events for 2004 listed.