In Chapter 3, Sizgorich sets up the perceived conflict between the devout believers in Christianity and early Islam and those of other faiths or a lack of faith altogether. The primary example of conflict is found in Ambrose and Libanius, men who both made appeals to the Emperor. While Ambrose appealed for benevolence towards non-Christian residents of the empire, Libanius appealed for preserving the tradition of violence against non-believers.
Chapter 3 is notable as it marks a shift from Sizgorich's focus on community identity as a factor in violence and places the focus on two individuals. Another conflict found in this chapter centers around Emperor Theodosius' approval of the persecution of pagans and heretics in his empire. Theodosius is portrayed as being co-opted into normalizing this treatment of non-believers within the empire, giving in to Libanius' opposition of traditional Roman leadership in favor of a Christianized version.
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