Final answer:
Reactions to Roman Catholicism ranged from Roman tolerance to persecution due to disruptions to traditional practices. Jews faced both curiosity and hostility because of monotheism and conflicts with emperor worship. The Jesuit's success in Japan highlights the complex interplay between religious conversion and European cultural exchanges.
Step-by-step explanation:
The initial reactions to Roman Catholicism among various emissaries and native populations were diverse and multifaceted. During the expansion of the church in Africa and across the Mediterranean, Roman officials generally tolerated new religions like Christianity unless they perceived them as disruptive to the empire's peace and stability. Early Christians were seen as potential threats due to their refusal to participate in state cults and perform animal sacrifices, leading to periods of persecution under emperors like Nero and Diocletian. Conversely, Judaism met with both interest and hostility in Rome, where Jewish monotheism and customs such as circumcision were seen as unRoman and resisted emperor worship, causing Jews to be under constant threat. Moreover, the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire and abroad was further complicated by the entrance of Catholic emissaries into regions with established Christian traditions, often leading to conflict over religious authority and cultural practices. For example, the success of Jesuit priests in converting large numbers of Japanese to Catholicism was contrasted with the rejection by Samurais, who were more interested in European firearms than religion.