Church tradition speaks of 10 great persecutions, probably in imitation of the 10 plagues of Moses. Persecutions struck a nerve among Christians, and they produced martyrologies and legends. In reality there were diverse and localized persecutions but three widespread persecutions under Decius (249–250 CE), Valentianus (257–258 CE), and Diocletian (303–312 CE).
Stephen was the first martyr (ca. 35 CE), and then James of Zebeddee, and a general persecution broke out under Herod Agrippa (ca. 42 CE). The biblical book of Revelation speaks of societal hostility against the early Christians. Rarely did this persecution come from the government; usually it was from other religious groups (such as the Jews or the pagans). Nero (54–68) and Domitian (81–96) were known to have blamed Christians for problems of their own administration. The legal basis for these persecutions is known from the correspondence between Pliny and the emperor Trajan around 110: If a resident did not make offerings to the Roman gods, he or she could be executed. However, the Christians were not sought out by prosecutors, and emperors did not make it their business to conduct widespread campaigns against them. Later persecutions occurred when specific charges were filed: Polycarp of Smyrna (156), the Lyons martyrs (177), the Scillitan martyrs in Carthage (180), Felicity and Perpetua (203). Nonetheless, the persecutions were sporadic and local.
The first empire-wide persecution broke out in 249, when Emperor Decius tried to restore traditional values to the Roman state. He ordered that the annual Roman sacrifices be mandatory in various cities, and that prominent Christian leaders in those places be arrested and executed. Local commissions were set up to enforce these decrees. Only Decius's death in 251 cut short the serious threat to the church. The second big persecution was initiated by Valerius in 257. Initially, the decrees seemed to be motivated by a desire for church wealth, but a year later executions and cruel forms of punishment went beyond confiscations. Valerius would condemn Christians to the mines, beat them with whips, and shave their heads as runaway slaves and criminals. Eventually, the Roman Empire backed away from its anti-Christian position, and the church began to go public.
After 40 years of relative calm, the empire under Diocletian returned to its hostility against the church. Diocletian's major goal was to unify and rejuvenate the moribund empire, and the Christians were viewed as uncooperative. For nine years (303–312) the government pursued a program against the Christians, banning all scriptures, tearing down churches, prohibiting meetings, and stripping Christians of legal rights. At first Diocletian did not kill Christians, for he did not want martyrs, but later his deputies carried out massive executions, especially in North Africa.
When Diocletian retired in 305, persecution died out in the West but continued in the East. Later, when paganism did not revive and Christianity only grew, grudging official acceptance of Christianity was given in 311–312. The empire had little to gain by crushing the church.
My expertise lies in ancient history, particularly in the historical context and events surrounding the persecutions faced by early Christians in the Roman Empire. The knowledge I possess stems from a range of historical documents, including primary sources like the correspondence between Pliny and Emperor Trajan around 110 CE, as well as secondary accounts and scholarly interpretations.
The article you provided covers a significant period of Christian persecution within the Roman Empire. Here's a breakdown of the concepts and historical events discussed:
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Persecutions: There were various persecutions against Christians, often localized and sporadic. Three major widespread persecutions occurred under Decius (249–251 CE), Valerius (257–258 CE), and Diocletian (303–312 CE). These were attempts to restore traditional Roman values, unify the empire, and deal with perceived Christian non-cooperation.
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Persecutors and Methods: Persecutions were carried out by emperors like Decius, Valerius, and Diocletian. They used different methods, including arrest, execution, confiscation of wealth, forced labor in mines, beatings, and restrictions such as banning scriptures, tearing down churches, and prohibiting meetings.
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Triggers and Motivations: Reasons for persecutions varied. Decius aimed to restore traditional Roman practices and unity, while Valerius initially seemed motivated by church wealth. Diocletian perceived Christians as uncooperative in his efforts to rejuvenate the empire.
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Targets and Responses: Christians were targeted for not making offerings to Roman gods and were often blamed for societal issues, like Nero and Domitian did during their reigns. The persecution sometimes came from other religious groups, not solely from the government.
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Shifts in Persecution: The persecution pattern shifted over time. Initially, emperors didn't actively seek out Christians, but later, specific charges led to more widespread persecutions, resulting in martyrs like Polycarp of Smyrna, the Lyons martyrs, Scillitan martyrs, and Felicity and Perpetua.
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Outcome and Acceptance: Persecutions declined after Diocletian's retirement in 305. Eventually, there was grudging official acceptance of Christianity in 311–312 CE due to Christianity's growth and the realization that suppressing it wasn't beneficial to the empire.
Understanding these historical events helps contextualize the challenges early Christians faced and sheds light on the dynamic relationship between religious beliefs, governmental policies, and societal changes within the Roman Empire.
