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Persecuting Christians: Difference between revisions
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=Persecution by the Roman Empire= | =Persecution by the Roman Empire= | ||
Christians were severely persecuted by Pagan Rome between | Christians were severely persecuted by Pagan Rome between 64 AD and 313 AD. | ||
*The first direct collision between the Roman Government and the rising Christian sect appears to have taken place at Rome during the latter part of the reign of '''Nero''' around 64 AD. The cause of this first outbreak is a difficult and much disputed question. The traditional view is that Nero, who was accused of burning a large part of the city of Rome, in order to divert suspicion from himself, accused the Christians of setting fire to the city, and thus started the persecution. It appears that both Paul and Peter were martyred in Rome during the persecution of Nero, Peter being crucified head downward and Paul being beheaded.<ref>Leon Hardy Canfield, The Early Persecutions of the Christians, 2nd ed., vol. LV, Studies in History, Economics and Public Law (New York; London: Columbia University; Longmans, Green & Co.; P. S. King & Son, 1913), 43.</ref> | |||
*Sporadic persecutions against Christians occured during the reigns of emperor Domitian (89-96 AD) and emperor Trajan (98-117 AD). | |||
*'''Marcus Aurelis''' executed a number of Christians in Lyon, France, in 177 AD. | *'''Marcus Aurelis''' executed a number of Christians in Lyon, France, in 177 AD. | ||
*'''Septimus Severus''' (193 - 211 AD) upheld the already-established laws against Christianity, allowing local governors to persecute them (which was especially strong in Africa) while sheltering the Christians in Rome itself. | *'''Septimus Severus''' (193 - 211 AD) upheld the already-established laws against Christianity, allowing local governors to persecute them (which was especially strong in Africa) while sheltering the Christians in Rome itself. | ||
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===Diocletian=== | ===Diocletian=== | ||
The Roman Emperor Diocletian was figure of contrasts. Born to a poor family, he rose in stature in the Roman army and cavalry, until claiming the Empire for himself in 284. Taking the title "Jovius" and "Dominus et deus" (Lord and God), he reinstituted the Roman form of Emperor worship, forcing all who came to see him to prostrate themselves before his throne, and forbidding visitors to look at him. At the same time, Diocletian gave half of the empire to his friend Maximian (who took the title "Herculius"), and together they unified the power of the Roman Empire. His military and economic reforms formed the basis of the Byzantine Empire (which was to last another thousand years), and enabled the western Roman empire to continue another hundred years. In 305, after becoming sick, Diocletian became one of the few Roman Emperors to retire, and he took up the hobby of cabbage farming at his palace in Dalmatia. | The Roman Emperor Diocletian was figure of contrasts. Born to a poor family, he rose in stature in the Roman army and cavalry, until claiming the Empire for himself in 284. Taking the title "Jovius" and "Dominus et deus" (Lord and God), he reinstituted the Roman form of Emperor worship, forcing all who came to see him to prostrate themselves before his throne, and forbidding visitors to look at him. At the same time, Diocletian gave half of the empire to his friend Maximian (who took the title "Herculius"), and together they unified the power of the Roman Empire. His military and economic reforms formed the basis of the Byzantine Empire (which was to last another thousand years), and enabled the western Roman empire to continue another hundred years. In 305, after becoming sick, Diocletian became one of the few Roman Emperors to retire, and he took up the hobby of cabbage farming at his palace in Dalmatia. | ||
=Persecution by Non-Roman Empires= | =Persecution by Non-Roman Empires= | ||