ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

**Christianity among the Goths**
==========================

**Early Spread of Christianity**

Christianity began to spread among the Goths in the first half of the 4th century. The Germanic tribes, including the Goths, adopted Christianity during this period. The peculiarities of Christianization of the Goths, which occurred at the height of the Arian dispute, are associated with various external and internal factors.

**Arian Form of Christianity**

Due to historical circumstances, the Goths adopted Christianity in its Arian form. This was a significant factor in the spread of Christianity among the Goths. The Bible, translated by Bishop Wulfila into Gothic, was also used by other peoples.

**State Religion**

Christianity was the state religion in the two main state formations of the Goths: the Visigothic kingdom and the Ostrogothic kingdom. In the Visigothic kingdom, Arianism dominated until 589, while in the Ostrogothic kingdom, Arianism was the main denomination until the destruction of this state by Byzantium in the middle of the 6th century.

**Organization of the Christian Church**

There is limited information available about how the Christian church was organized in the Gothic states. However, it appears that Christianity did not play a decisive role in the life of the Goths.

**Timeline**

* 4th century: Christianity begins to spread among the Goths
* 589: Arianism dominates in the Visigothic kingdom
* Mid-6th century: Ostrogothic kingdom is destroyed by Byzantium