Monotheism and Pagan Philosophy in Later Antiquity

Abstract There is a temptation to think that one thing which ultimately distinguished Christians from pagans in antiquity was that the Christians, following the Jews, believed in one God, whereas the pagans believed in many gods. Sometimes this is expressed by saying that the Christians were monotheists, while the pagans were polytheists. Obviously, even in antiquity, Christians were tempted to present matters as if they believed in one God, whereas the pagans believed in many gods. This is the way matters are presented, for instance, by Marius Victorinus.