Scriptures Referenced
Revelation 2:10
Revelation 3:21
1 Peter 1:3–4
10 Persecutions of Roman Emperors
- Nero’s Persecution
- Persecuted Christians by accusing them of arson which caused the great fire of Rome, which was of his own doing. Executed Christians were used as food for beast or as torches to light up outdoor party venues. Most of these persecutions took place within the city of Rome.
- Domitian Persecution
- Christians oppressed under the accusation that all gods were angry because of Christians. Attacked those who were sympathizers of Christians and charged them with treason. Exiled the apostle John to the island of Patmos. Christians worshipped in underground tombs or catacombs to escape persecution.
- Trajan Persecution
- Persecuted Christians as felons for refusing to worship the emperor. Ignatius, the Elder of the church in Antioch was Martyred.
- Hadrian Persecution
- Set up the statues of the emperor and other statues and forced the people to worship them, if Christians refused, they were executed. Even those who protected Christians were punished severely.
- Marcus Aurelius
- Persecuted the Christians by blaming them for all natural disasters such as pestilence, famine, and drought. Gave the corpses of the Christians as food for the hungry dogs.
- Septimus Severus
- Forced the Christians to worship the sun god and prohibited conversion to Christianity. Proclaimed a decree stating that conversion to Christianity is punishable by death.
- Maximinus the Thracian
- Persecuted the Christians for supporting the emperor who was assassinated. Executed the Christian elders and those pro-claiming the gospel.
- Decius Persecution
- Issued an edict to spread persecution of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. Commanded all citizens to worship the roman gods, and those who disobeyed were executed for refusing to obey the edict. Encouraged the Christians to become apostates to eradicate Christianity. Martyrs and apostates occurred the most during this period.
- Valerian Persecution
- Prohibited Christians from gathering and confiscated their land and properties. Executed those proclaiming the teachings of Christianity and exiled their leaders.
- Diocletian Persecution
- The worst persecution that deprived the Christians of all their rights. Declared four edicts against Christianity.
Legal Edicts
- First Edict: Made Christian meetings illegal and ordered the destruction of Christian places of worship and the confiscation of Christian scriptures. Christians were denied the right to petition the courts or to respond to legal actions brought against them, making them especially vulnerable in judicial contexts. Christians with distinguished social status lost their rank and imperial freedmen were enslaved. Everyone, including Christians, was now expected to sacrifice before engaging in any legal or official business.
- Second Edict: Published in the summer of 303, ordering the arrest of Christian Leaders.
- Third Edict: In November 303, provided a pardon for imprisoned Christian Leaders, providing that they participated in a loyalty test to the emperor.
- Fourth and final Edict: Issued in the spring of 304, Required that everyone — men, women, and children — gather in a public space to offer sacrifice. If they refused, they were to be executed. The edicts certainly produced martyrs, but it drove many more Christians into hiding and exile. The order of systematic persecution was withdrawn in 311 AD, but the persecutions against the Christians did not cease until the edict of Milan was issued in 313AD.