Abstract
In the first Christian centuries Christianity did not define itself as religion. It's only Tertullian who in his Apologetics first confronts not just Greek and Latin philosophy but also the sphere of religio and thus introduces the notion into the Christian milieu.
The main aim of this thesis will therefore be to pursuit the process of the gradual penetration of this expression, which in the course of centuries proved to be a greatly inspiring and all-embracing term for the whole of Christian doctrinal systém and lifestyle, into the universe of theological and cultural discourse. An analysis of historical conditions that lead Christianity to define its identity in the terms of religio together with a description of understanding of this term in latin religious context form an introduction into the theme (first and second chapter).
However, the focus of the thesis (the third and fourth chapter) is Tertullian's perception of religio in Apologetics and in other writings of the first theologian of the West. The proposed project thus demands an interdisciplinary approach: next to the study of patristic sources and ancient culture it requires an introduction to history of Roman religion.