Tertullian was a Christian theologian and a leading critic of Rome's efforts to persecute Christians. Tertullian lived at a time when Christians were commonly persecuted by the Romans simply because they did not conform to the "norms" of the empire. Tertullian believes that Christians should denounce Greek and Roman traditions for the following reasons: he considers Roman rulers to be tyrannical, there is a Roman law that requires the gods to be "approved" by the Senate, and he thinks that the Romans allow their wives for behaving inappropriately. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayOne of the reasons why Tertullian thought Christians should denounce Greek and Roman traditions is because he considered Roman leaders as tyrannical. An example of this in the text is when he states "your sentences: 'You are not permitted to exist,' and with unhesitating rigor you enjoin that this be carried out, you manifest the violence and unjust domination of simple tyranny. (Tertullian 3) This shows how appalled Tertullian was by the actions of the Romans towards his fellow Christians. Tertullian continues by saying: “No, a law is the subject of strong suspicions which do not care to be judged and approved: it is a positively bad law if, unproven, it tyrannizes men. » (Tertullian 3) Speaking of the Roman law which prohibits Christians from appealing crimes against them. These examples show how Tertullian believed that Roman rulers were tyrannical and therefore could not be imitated. Another reason why Tertullian believed that Christians should denounce Roman tradition is the Roman law that no god should be consecrated by the emperor before being approved by the Senate. Tertullian finds this unsatisfactory because he believes that it takes away from the divinity of a god that he must be "approved". He even goes so far as to say “among you, divinity is attributed to the judgment of human beings. If the gods do not give satisfaction to men, there will be no deification for them.” (Tertullian 4) This statement shows how appalled Tertullian is by this idea that a god should have to be “approved” by certain people. This law is an example of how Tertullian believes Christians should denounce Roman traditions. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized document from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The third reason why Tertullian believes that Christians should denounce rather than embrace Greek and Roman tradition has it that he thinks that the Romans allow their women to behave in a way that he judges inappropriate. For example, in Tertullian's Apology he states: “Henceforth women have every member of their body heavily laden with gold; the drinking of wine is so common among them, that the kiss is never offered with their will; and as for divorce, they desire it as if it were the natural consequence of marriage.” (Tertullian 6) Obviously, as a Christian, Tertullian would consider these actions of any woman, but especially married women, to be extremely offensive. Another example of Tertullian's disgust on this subject is when he states: "I no longer see any difference between the clothes of matrons and prostitutes." (Tertullian 6). By describing Roman women as “respectable” prostitutes, Tertullian shows his absolute contempt for..