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From Fall Rome: Spanish Empire.—The destruction of the Roman Empire in the 5th century A.D. was followed by a breakdown of communications in the Mediterranean area and western Europe and a consequent deterioration of economic well-being and the general level of culture. The only exception in this respect was religion; the church became the chief custodian of the cultural advances made prior to the fall of Rome. More than 10 centuries were to pass before there would be another empire, the Spanish, even suggesting the importance and extent of the influence of Rome on the course of history.
Rome is obviously three cities in one, Rome of the Romans, Church Rome and Modern Rome, capital of the Republic. To see this three-ply complex in anything less than half a year calls for strategy and it is my feeling that here, above all other cities, the first-time visitor should start j out by giving himself at least a couple of guided tours of CIT, American Express or some other dealer in such sightseeing jaunts. They provide a sort of moving map of the terrain to be attacked.
There is, however, no real impossibility in the view that those whom Paul saluted may have been residing in Rome at the time. Some are known to have had a connection with Rome, as Prisca and Aquila, who may well be presumed to have returned from fall Rome Ephesus to their old home ^s soon as practicable; many of the names fit quite as well in Rome as in Ephesus, especially the mention of the households of Narcissus and Aristobulus; and it has also been noted that the salutations are always more numerous in letters to churches where Paul had" not worked than where he had, and he might well have desired to strengthen his hold in Rome by every possible appeal. |
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