Main peculiarities of the spread of early christianity in the Roman province of Africa

The purpose of the article is to research the first origins of Christianity in the Roman province of Africa, to establish the geographical and chronological origin of early Christian doctrine in this region, and to determine the nature of its initial development. The research methodology is based on the principle of historicism and social approach. The article uses chronological, comparative historical approach, and analytical methods. The scientific novelty consists in the wide use of various source: written (early apologetic, hagiographic), archaeological and epigraphic, linguistic comparison of written sources, as well as the involvement of the latest historiographical research on Christianity in Roman Africa. Conclusions. Roman Africa underwent its initial Romanization after victory of Rome in the Punic Wars, and Proconsular Africa became a province of the Roman state in the first century B.C. The extensive trade network of Proconsular Africa with the Eastern and Western provinces of the Roman Empire contributed to the rapid urbanization and economic growth of the region. The constant trade and economic communication of the province made it possible for early Christianity to spread to the area. The first references to Christians date back to the second half of the second century AD and are typically written Christian texts of an urbanized nature. The Latin and Greek versions of these sources indicate the initial bilingualism of the early Christian ecclesia of Africa. The spread of Christianity in Africa came from both the Roman church and the churches of the Eastern provinces, and from there thanks to the Jewish trade diaspora. The beginning of the third century AD is characterized by the rapid development of the church in Africa and the work of the early Christian apologist Tertullian, who left behind a large written heritage. The earliest references to Christians in Proconsular Africa also indicate sporadic conflict between pagan society and local authorities against Christians.