Translated from the 2nd German ed. (1989), with revisions by the author.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 437-474) and indexes.

Foreword / Robert Jewett. -- pt. 1. Introduction: From the Beginnings of Urban Roman Christianity to the Separation from the Synagogue. -- Ch. 1. The Entrance of Christianity via the Trade Route. -- Ch. 2. The "Edict of Claudius" and Separation from the Synagogue. -- pt. 2. Topography. -- Ch. 3. In Which Quarters of the City Did the Christian Population Concentrate? -- Ch. 4. Did Particular Strata of the Population Predominate in the Quarters under Investigation?. -- pt. 3. First Diachronic Section: General Information About Urban Roman Christianity. -- Ch. 5. Jewish and Gentile Christians. -- Ch. 6. Information from Paul's Letter to the Romans and Acts 28:30f. -- Ch. 7. Information in Conjunction with the Persecution by Nero. -- Ch. 8. Information from First Clement. -- Ch. 9. Information from Ignatius's Letter to the Romans.

Ch. 10. The Shepherd of Hermas: Social Stratification in the First Half of the Second Century and the Attendant Conflicts. -- Ch. 11. The Writings of Justin: The Social Structure of Christianity at the Middle of the Second Century. -- Ch. 12. The Excavation Complex at the Vatican. -- Ch. 13. Social Stratification at the Time of Commodus. -- Ch. 14. Traditio Apostolica. -- Ch. 15. Summary and Conclusion. -- pt. 4. Second Diachronic Section: Prosopographic Investigation. -- Ch. 16. The Roman Christians of Romans 16. -- Ch. 17. Claudius Ephebus and Valerius Biton (I Clem. 63:3; 65:1). -- Ch. 18. Aquila and Prisca. -- Ch. 19. Pomponia Graecina. -- Ch. 20. T. Flavius Clemens and Flavia Domitilla. -- Ch. 21. The Author of First Clement. -- Ch. 22. The Person of Hermas. -- Ch. 23. The Woman from Justin's Apology 2.2. -- Ch. 24. Marcion. -- Ch. 25. Justin. -- Ch. 26. Tatian and Rhodon.

Ch. 27. Valentinians. -- Ch. 28. Carpocratians. -- Ch. 29. The Martyr Apollonius. -- Ch. 30. Marcus Aurelius Prosenes and Other Members of Caesar's Familia. -- Ch. 31. Two Wives of Governors: Women of Senatorial Rank. -- Ch. 32. Representatives of Western Latin Education. -- Ch. 33. The Theodotians. -- Ch. 34. Praxeas, Gaius, and the Problem of "Hippolytus". -- Ch. 35. Summary. -- pt. 5. The Fractionation of Roman Christianity. -- Ch. 36. The Evidence of Fractionation. -- Ch. 37. Private Property Utilized by the Church Community. -- Ch. 38. The External Image of Christian House-Church Congregations. -- Ch. 39. Fractionation and Theological Pluralism. -- Ch. 40. Fractionation and Tolerance of People with Other Theological Opinions. -- Ch. 41. Fractionation, Monarchical Episcopacy, and Presbyterial Governance. -- pt. 6. Final Remarks. -- App. 1. Students of Marcion. -- App. 2. Justin: Educational Components. -- App. 3. Tatian: Education Components. -- App. 4. Fractionation of Roman Jewry.

"Investigating the rise and shape of the earliest churches in Rome, Lampe integrates history, archaeology, theology, and social analysis. He also takes a close look at inscriptional evidence to complement the reading of the great literary texts: from Paul's letter to the Romans to the writings of Clement of Rome, Justin Martyr, Montanus, and Valentinus. This study is a groundbreaking work - broad in scope and closely detailed. Lampe deals with the shape of leadership and the followers of Christ in relation to the Judeans living in Rome."--Jacket.

Translated from the 2nd German ed. (1989).