Cremation in Roman times was predominantly used until which major shift in burial practice?

Cremation in Roman times was predominantly practiced for a significant period due to cultural and religious beliefs that favored this method of body disposition. However, a major shift occurred with the transition to inhumation, which is the practice of burying the dead. This shift was largely influenced by the rise of early Christianity, which advocated for the burial of the body as a more respectful and reverent treatment of the deceased.

As Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, the beliefs concerning the resurrection of the body played a crucial role in changing attitudes toward cremation. This led to an increase in inhumation practices, where bodies were laid to rest in graves rather than incinerated. Therefore, the transition to inhumation marked a significant change in burial practices, moving away from cremation and reflecting the changing societal and religious landscapes of the time.

Factors such as urban overpopulation and military expansion, while relevant to historical context regarding burial practices, do not directly explain the primary shift away from cremation to inhumation as the dominant method during this period.