Roman emperor trajan and christian persecution statistics

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Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire

For religious persecution of Christians in general, see Persecution of Christians.

Christians were persecuted throughout the Roman Empire, beginning in the 1st century AD and ending in the 4th century. Originally a polytheistic empire in the traditions of Roman paganism and the Hellenistic religion, as Christianity spread through the empire, it came into ideological conflict with the imperial cult of ancient Rome. Pagan practices such as making sacrifices to the deified emperors or other gods were abhorrent to Christians as their beliefs prohibited idolatry. The state and other members of civic society punished Christians for treason, various rumored crimes, illegal assembly, and for introducing an alien cult that led to Roman apostasy.^[1] The first, localized Neronian persecution occurred under Emperor Nero (r.&#;54–68) in Rome. A number of mostly localized persecutions occurred during the reign of Marcus Aurelius (r.&#;–). After a lull, persecution resumed under Emperors Decius (r.&#;–) and Trebonianus Gallus (r.&#;–). The Decian persecution was particularly extensive. The persecution of Emperor Valerian (r.&#;–) ceased with his notable capture by the Sasanian Empire's Shapur I (r.&#;–) at the Battle of Edessa dur

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Persecutions of the Church in the Roman Empire

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 (– CE), Valentianus (– CE), and Diocletian (– 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 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 Smyr