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Dates |
Emperor |
Nature and Extent of Persecutions |
Notable Martyrs |
| 64 | Nero | TooK place in Rome and vicinity only. Christians were made scapegoats for burning Rome. Sadistic measures included burning Christians alive to illuminate Nero's gardens. |
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| C.90-96 | Domitian | Was capricious, sporadic, centered in Rome and Asia Minor. Christians were persecuted for refusal to offer incense to the genius of the emperor. |
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| 98-117 | Trajan | Was sporadically enforced.
Christians were lumped with other groups whose patriotism was considered suspect. Christians were to be executed when found, but not sought out. |
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| 117-158 | Hadrian | Was sporadically enforced. Policies of Trajan were continued. Any who brought false witness against Christians were to be punished. |
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| 161-180 | Marcus Aurelius |
Emperor was a Stoic who opposed Christianity on philosophical grounds. Christians were blamed for natural disasters. |
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| 202-211 | Septimus Severus | Conversion to Christianity was forbidden. |
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| 255-256 | Maximinus the Thracian | Christian clergy were ordered executed. Christians were opposed because they had supported emperor's predecessor, whom he had assassinated. |
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| 249-251 | Decius | Was first empire-wide persecution. Offering of incense to genius of emperor was demanded. Enthusiastic return to paganism required utter extermination of Christianity. |
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| 257-260 | Valerian | Christians' property was confiscated Christians were prohibited right of assembly |
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| 305-311 | Diocletian Galerius | This was worst persecution of all.
Churches were destroyed, Bibles burned. All civil rights of Christians were suspended Sacrifice to gods was required. |
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