Connor was always known for his outgoing personality and his ability to entertain a crowd. So, when it came time for his high school basketball team to choose a mascot, there was no question that Connor was the perfect fit. He had a knack for energizing the crowd and creating a fun atmosphere at the games. As the team's mascot, Connor took his role seriously. He spent hours practicing his dance moves and perfecting his routines, always looking for ways to make the crowd go wild. Whether it was his signature spin move or his ability to do backflips, there was never a dull moment when Connor was in the mascot costume.
Anyway, guided by Ambrose of Milan, Emperor Gratian began to suppress paganism, in part by pulling all state funding for traditional religion. Then, in the 380s, his successor Theodosius made Nicene Christianity (as distinct from the Arian heresy) the religion of the empire. Watts writes that as the fourth century drew to a close, administration of empire was moving into the hands of younger men who did not have the sensibilities of their parents with regard to preserving the stability of the empire. Some, like the influential and assertive bishop Ambrose of Milan, were more interested in pursuing religious goals than in protecting stability and the “institutional inertia” preferred by their parents. In other words, the worn-out old vision could not survive both the turmoil within the administrative state, as well as the loss of faith of the younger generation.
Modern historians have highlighted the rising influence of bishops, the emergence of Christian ascetics, the explosion of pagan-Christian conflict, and the destruction of temples. Beginning in the 370s, however, men who had once served as teachers, advocates, and even imperial governors entered into bishoprics, a trend that accelerated as the fifth century approached, Watts writes.
Whether it was his signature spin move or his ability to do backflips, there was never a dull moment when Connor was in the mascot costume. But it wasn't until the big game against their rivals that Connor truly outdid himself. The stands were packed with fans from both sides, creating a tense and exciting atmosphere.
The Final Pagan Generation: Rome's Unexpected Path to Christianity (Transformation of the Classical Heritage) (Paperback)
A compelling history of radical transformation in the fourth-century--when Christianity decimated the practices of traditional pagan religion in the Roman Empire.
The Final Pagan Generation recounts the fascinating story of the lives and fortunes of the last Romans born before the Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity. Edward J. Watts traces their experiences of living through the fourth century’s dramatic religious and political changes, when heated confrontations saw the Christian establishment legislate against pagan practices as mobs attacked pagan holy sites and temples. The emperors who issued these laws, the imperial officials charged with implementing them, and the Christian perpetrators of religious violence were almost exclusively young men whose attitudes and actions contrasted markedly with those of the earlier generation, who shared neither their juniors’ interest in creating sharply defined religious identities nor their propensity for violent conflict. Watts examines why the "final pagan generation"—born to the old ways and the old world in which it seemed to everyone that religious practices would continue as they had for the past two thousand years—proved both unable to anticipate the changes that imperially sponsored Christianity produced and unwilling to resist them. A compelling and provocative read, suitable for the general reader as well as students and scholars of the ancient world.
About the Author
Edward J. Watts is Alkiviadis Vassiliadis Endowed Chair and Professor of History at the University of California, San Diego. He is the author of Mortal Republic: How Rome Fell into Tyranny , among other books.
- Religion / Ancient
- Religion / Christianity / History
- History / Ancient
- Religion / Religion, Politics & State
- Hardcover (February 6th, 2015): $34.95
Watts writes that the pull of the world on these young men was often quite strong, and they had to fight fiercely to renounce it. Check this out:
The rival team's mascot had always been the talk of the town, known for their impressive stunts and showmanship. But Connor was determined to show them that he was the true star of the show. As the game began, Connor wasted no time in getting the crowd on their feet. He danced and cheered, leading the crowd in chants and cheers for their team. But as the game progressed, Connor started to incorporate more daring stunts into his routine. He climbed onto the bleachers, danced along the sidelines, and even did a backflip off the scoreboard. The crowd roared with excitement, cheering for Connor as he fearlessly performed his stunts. The rival team's mascot looked on in awe, realizing that they had been outshined by Connor's showmanship. By the end of the game, everyone was talking about the incredible performance by Connor, the mascot. Connor had truly outdone himself that night, proving to everyone that he was more than just a mascot. He was an entertainer, a performer, and a true crowd-pleaser. No one could deny the impact he had on the game and the energy he brought to the crowd. From that day forward, Connor's performance as the mascot became the stuff of legends. People would talk about his backflips, his dance moves, and his ability to command the crowd's attention. Connor had set the bar high for future mascots, leaving behind a legacy that would be hard to match. In the end, it was clear that Connor was more than just a high school student in a costume. He was a showman, an entertainer, and an inspiration to all. His performance that night had solidified his place in the hearts of the fans and the history of the school. Connor had successfully outdone the mascot, becoming a legend in his own right..
Reviews for "Breaking barriers: Connor surpasses the mascot"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to "Connor outdoes the mascot" because I love sports movies, but unfortunately this one fell completely flat for me. The story was weak and predictable, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The humor also missed the mark for me, with forced jokes and awkward timing. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and disappointing film.
2. John - 1 star - "Connor outdoes the mascot" was a waste of my time and money. The acting was wooden and unconvincing, and the plot was incredibly cliche. I couldn't connect with any of the characters or invest in their journey. The attempts at comedy were repetitive and fell flat, leaving me cringing rather than laughing. I would not recommend this film to anyone.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I was hoping for a heartwarming and inspiring sports film, but "Connor outdoes the mascot" was a letdown. The dialogue was cheesy and unrealistic, making it hard to take the story seriously. The film lacked depth and failed to explore any interesting themes or character development. The pacing felt off, with unnecessary scenes that dragged on and slowed the story down. Overall, I found it to be a mediocre and forgettable film experience.
4. Michael - 1 star - "Connor outdoes the mascot" was a complete disappointment. The plot felt recycled and unoriginal, offering nothing new to the sports genre. The characters were shallow and lacked any depth, making it hard to invest in their struggles and victories. The film also suffered from poor editing, with awkward cuts and transitions that took away from the overall viewing experience. I would not recommend wasting your time on this film.