This work explores the rise of Christianity in the late Roman period with a focus on the Great Persecution of Christians in 300 AD. DePalma Digeser (history, U. of California) challenges the assumption of this period as a gradual and inevitable backlash, alternatively positing a sudden appearance after a period of relatively peaceful coexistence with pagan religious and philosophical powers of the time. She points to a feud between platonic philosophers regarding the influence of Christians as the spark that ignited the persecution and presents a new narrative of the period taking into account discoveries only recently dated to the time. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)