PERSECUTIONS

INTRODUCTION.
Why were the early Christians persecuted? The legal grounds on which the persecutions were carried out are obscure. According rumor, Christians were said to be atheists, cannibals, incestuous. No proof, however, was ever produced to substantiate these charges. Apparently being called a Christian became punishable without any attendant vice, but their refusal to worship the Roman gods or the emperor's name was viewed as politically treasonous. There were ten great Roman persecutions of the Christians extending from A.D. 64 to 313, which may be grouped in the following manner.

  1. Persecutions as a Result of the Emperor's Whim.
    1. Persecution under Nero (54-68 A.D.), 64 A.D.
      Nero persecuted Christians to escape suspicion for burning Rome. No persecution under emperors Vespasion (69-79) and Titus (79-81). Jerusalem taken and the Temple destroyed in A.D. 70.

    2. Persecution under Domitian (81-96 A.D.).
      Domitian persecuted Christians out of fear of possible rivals and fear of growing Christian influence. No persecution under emperor Nerva (96-98 A.D.).

  2. Persecutions Initiated by mobs of people, but restrained by the Emperors
    1. Trajan (98-117 A.D.).
    2. Hadrian (117-138 A.D.) in Asia, 124 A.D.
    3. Antonius Pius (138-161 A.D.).
      1. At Smyrna (Polycarp, etc.), 155 A.D.
      2. At Rome (Ptolemy and Lucius).

  3. Persecutions Initiated by Emperors.
    1. Marcus Aurelius (161-180 A.D.):
      Marcus Aurelius persecuted Christians because he was sympathetic to Stoicism.
      1. At Rome (Justin, etc.) 163-167 A.D.
      2. At Athens (Publius)
      3. In Crete, Christian sent to mines.
      4. In Asia (Sagaris, Thraseas, etc.)
      5. At Lyons (Theodotus of Byzantium), 177 A.D.

    2. Commodus (180-192 A.D.):
      1. In Africa (Martyrs of Scilli), 185 A.D.
      2. In Asia, under Arrius Autonius.
      3. At Rome (Apollonius, Natalius, others sent to mines in Sardinia)
      4. Under the influence of Marcia, Commodus grants toleration.

    3. Septimus Severus (193-211 A.D.):
      1. In Egypt, 202+ A.D.
      2. In Africa (Perpetua, Felicitas, etc.), 202+ A.D.
      3. In Africa by Scapula, 211-213 A.D.

    4. Caracalla (211-217 A.D.) Quiet.

    5. Elagabalus, 218-222 A.D.) Quiet.

    6. Alexander Severus (222-235 A.D.) Quiet.

    7. Maximinus the Thracian (235-238 A.D.):
      1. Attack on higher clergy.
      2. Pontian and Hippolytus sent to the mines.
      3. Persecution in Cappadocia and Palestine.

    8. Philip (244-249 A.D.) Quiet.

  4. Persecutions in the Last Half of Third Century A.D.
    1. Why did persecutions recommence in the third century?
      1. The growing strength of Christianity.
      2. The internal instability of the empire.
      3. Perils from without.
      4. The revival of the Roman religion.

    2. What forms did the persecution take?
      1. Under Decius (249-251 A.D.), the Edict of Decius, 26 June 250 A.D.
        Decius persecuted Christians for the political threat of the growing body of Christians.

      2. Under Valerian (253-260 A.D.):
        1. First Stage, 257 A.D.
          1. Attacks on clergy.
          2. Attacks on corporate life of Church.

        2. Second Stage, 258 A.D.
          1. Martyrdom Sixtus, 6 Aug 258 A.D.
          2. Martyrdom Cyprian, 14 Sept 258 A.D.

    3. What were the results of the persecution?
      1. It was followed by a long period of quiet:
        1. Gallienus (260-268 A.D.), edict in 260 restored freedom of worship.
        2. Aurelian (270-275 A.D.) intended to renew persecution.

      2. It gave rise to schism within the Church.
        1. The problem of the Lapsi.
        2. Novatian schism at Carthage and Rome.

  5. Persecutions in the Fourth Century A.D.
    1. Diocletian (284-305 A.D.) and Maximian (285-305 A.D.),
      (In 293 Diocletian and Maximian become Augusti; Constantius and Galerius become Caesars.)
      Diocletian persecuted Christians because he feared that Christians were disloyal and an impediment to the reorganization of the state.
      1. Persecution of Christians in the army.
      2. First Edict (March 303 A.D.), books and buildings burned.
      3. Second Edict, imprisonment of clergy.
      4. Third Edict, torture and death of clergy.
      5. Fourth Edict (April 304 A.D,), general persecution.
      6. Diocletian and Maximian abdicate in 1 May 305 A.D.;

    2. Constantius and Galerius become Augusti; Severus and Maximinus Caesars.
      1. In A.D. 306 Constantius dies at York; Constantine hailed as Augustus by his army, recognized as Caesar.
      2. In A.D. 307 Severus dies; Licinius becomes Augustus.
      3. Persecution slackens in 308 but is renewed.
      4. The Pagan church of Maximinus.
      5. Renewed persecution in the lands ruled by Maximinus, 308-312.
      6. Toleration Edict of Galerius in 30 April 311; Galerius dies in 311.
      7. Martyrdom of Methodius, Peter of Alexandria, and Lucian of Antioch.
      8. Constantine invades Italy in 312; Battle of the Milvian Bridge, 28 Oct.
      9. Edict of Milan in 313 grants universal toleration.
      10. Licinius defeats Maximinus: death of Maximinus in 313.

    3. Constantine, Licinius and Crispus become Caesars in 317 A.D.
      1. Licinius begins persecution in his dominions in 321 A.D.
      2. Licinius is defeated and later is executed in 324 A.D.
      3. Constantine extends toleration to the East in 324 A.D.
      4. Foundation and building of Constantinople 324-330 A.D.
      5. Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D.
      6. Condemnation of Crispus and Fausta in 326 A.D.
      7. Division of Empire between Constantine's sons and nephews in 335 A.D.
      8. Baptism and death of Constantine in 337 A.D.

  6. Julian the Apostate (361-363 A.D.)
    1. He reverted to paganism.
    2. He tried to suppress Christianity.
    3. He was unsuccessful.

  7. Theodosius I (378-395 A.D.)
    1. Recognized Christianity as sole religion of the Empire, 27 Feb 380 A.D.
    2. Empire Divided 395 A.D.