The Era of Early Christian Martyrdom & Roman Persecution

Official Persecution of the Early Church in Rome

A study of the first thousand years of Christian Church History cannot be complete without discussions of the times of official persecution.  From Nero to the early Fourth Century, Christian suffered through various methods of torture to property and human body. Some who refused to swear allegiance to The Roman Gods were thrown to the animals, others crucified, others set ablaze. 

Nero, the Great Fire of Rome, and Tacitus' Account

Nero partially believed Christians were responsible for the massive fire in Rome in 64 AD. Tertullian (155-220) and Tacitus (56-c.120) are the major sources for information about this persecution. Below is a passage from Tacitus: 

"First, then, the confessed members of the sect were arrested; next, on their disclosures, vast numbers​ were convicted, not so much on the count of arson as for hatred of the human race. And derision accompanied their end: they were covered with wild beasts' skins and torn to death by dogs; or they were fastened on crosses, and, when daylight failed were burned to serve as lamps by night." - "Annals"

Imperial Edicts and Local Persecutions Across the Empire

Two million Christians were martyred under Nero. After Nero, persecutions were spearheaded not only by emperors, but also by the local populace in certain regions. At Modern Day Lyons, France, Christians who were tried in the Second Century, were hindered by the testimonies often of their former slaves, who said the Christians were cannibals. At Rome again, and this time empire-wide, Decius (201-251 AD) issued an edict that all Romans, excluding The Jewish People, must offer sacrifice to Roman gods. This edict was in effect for 18 months and Pope Fabian was put to death because he refused to sacrifice. Entire courses are devoted to this era of Christian History, and it is worthwhile to learn as much as we can about it. 

Above photo credit: "The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer (between 1863 and 1883). Oil on canvas, 87.9 x 150.1 cm (34.6 x 59 in). Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, Maryland"

The Roman Martyrology and the Diocletian Persecution

The Roman Martyrology (online daily edition to the right), is approved for use in the Liturgy.  Various pdfs are also available for download. Diocletian must be discussed when discussing Christian martyrology. He believed that forthright belief empire-wider in the Roman gods would lead naturally to empire-wide Roman stability. In this quest, thousands of Christians were martyred for their faith, including Saints Sebastian and Agnes. 

Header image: Gérôme, Jean-Léon. The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer. 1863–1883. Oil on canvas. Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jean-L%C3%A9on_G%C3%A9r%C3%B4me_-The_Christian_Martyrs%27_Last_Prayer-_Walters_37113.jpg.