The Antonine Plague worked its way around the Roman Empire for about twenty years, 165 to mid-180s CE. Some estimates suggest 25% of the population died. In response to the plague, Marcus Aurelius “zealously revived the worship of the gods” (HA Marc Aur XXI.6). 1/

The plague impacted civil leadership, with many nobles dying. In the mid-170s, Marcus Aurelius gave permission for Athens to relax its eligibility requirements for membership in the Areopagus Council. 2/

This was on account of the “disasters which have befallen them...because of which many other cities have ... made special claims for relief” (Oliver, Grk Const, n.184), a likely reference to the plague. 3/

A couple of years earlier than this, the Costoboc invasion had reached as far as Eleusis, a stones throw away from Athens. The honourific statue erected for the priest who saved the sacred instruments is evidence of the impact of this event on the Athenians. 4/

Tertullian wryly noted that plagues, wars and natural disasters were often blamed on the Christians (Apol. XL.1-2). The proliferation of apologetic works in the 170s suggests a surge of anti-Christian sentiment in this period. 5/

Athenagoras, writing from Athens around 177/8, defends the Christians against three accusations, the main one being atheism - perhaps a reference in part to their lack of appeasing the gods in response to the plague. 6/

The apologist argues that the Christians follow “doctrines not man-made but ordained and taught by God” (Leg. 11.1). The first example he gives of these teachings “on which we are brought up”: “I say to you, love your enemies...that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” 7/

He argues their faith leads to a life that is “moderate, philanthropic, and humble” and “gentle, philanthropic, and kind” (Leg. 12.1). The evidence of this philanthropy is that “we love not only our friends; ‘for...if you love them who love you...what reward will you have?” 8/

Covid-19 has led to many gestures of generosity and solidarity, but also an overflow of racism, nationalism, and other signs of misanthropy. 9/

I hope that the Christian response (at least from here on) may be one that is “gentle, philanthropic, and kind”, in which we love our friends, neighbours, and “enemies” (however construed). End