latin translation

does anyone know the latin word for christianity?

or catholicism would do too

I imagine it changed over time but Whittaker's Words is suggesting either Christianus-i (2m) or Christicola-ae (1m), though the second one is listed as uncommon. Most references to early Christians are in Greek (such as Josephus), so it is kind of hard to state what the original words used were, particularly given the high degree of secrecy in the early church. Of course, if you are looking for Late Roman Empire or later then Christianus would be fine.

EDIT: I can back it up with a source now. The Anonymus Valesianus, discussing the Origins of Constantine uses the sentence Licinius omnes Christianos a palatio iussit expelli (Licinius ordered that all the Christians be expelled from the Palatine Hill). So Christianus is correct.

Christianus-i or Christicola-ae is more accurately a Christian rather than Christianity itself.

The abstract noun Christianitas-(Christianita)tis would be better. As Romanitas-tis expressed the idea of belonging to Rome, this expresses the idea of belonging to the religion.

Disclaimer: I focus on Classical Latin - Christians don't really come up often in the sources I read.

yes i found Christianus-i to refer to christians but im looking for christianity specifically. thanks both tho :D

Christianitas.

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Originally Posted by The Stranger

yes i found Christianus-i to refer to christians but im looking for christianity specifically. thanks both tho :D

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I don't know the exact translation but they were referred to as 'people of the cross'

Maybe this helps http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_of_the_Cross

Well crucesignatus-i lit. 'signed by the cross' was the technical term for crusaders from the 11th Century onwards.

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Originally Posted by Gaius Scribonius Curio

Well crucesignatus-i lit. 'signed by the cross' was the technical term for crusaders from the 11th Century onwards.

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Also for soldiers who fought for Constatine I believe, not sure about it though, but they had christian symbols on their shields. I am no expert on this but I do know it is very complex. But 'people of the cross' is older than the crusades, that I know for sure. You are probably referring to the white cross, it was given to you when going to the holy land

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Originally Posted by Skullhead

Christianitas.

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That would "the attribute of being Christian".

Christianum Fidelum - "the faith of the Christians" or you could quote Augustine - Doctrina Christiana - "The teachings of the Christians".