Persecution &

Martyrdomin the

Early Church

Why were Christians Persecuted?

Political Reasons: • Christians refused to recognize

Emperor as Lord.• Christians were viewed as a

danger to The State.• Christians became easy

scapegoats for rulers like Nero

Why were Christians Persecuted?

Moral Reasons:• Christians lived by a different

morality than pagans.• The Christian’s morality

condemned pagan wickedness.

The Fires of Persecution

Martyrs of Lyons

Amphitheater in Lyons

Emperors & Martyrs

• Nero– fire destroyed much

of Rome– Rumor spread that

Nero ordered the fire to make room for his new city, Neropolis

– He used Christians as a scapegoat.

Simon Peteraccording to tradition, was crucified upside

down

Apostle Paulaccording to tradition was

beheaded

Diocletian (284-305)

Galerius (305-311)

The Great Persecution (303-311)

Diocletian

•Paranoid Emperor •Most savage of persecutions.•Destroyed Church Buildings.•Destroyed Bibles and Writings.•Removed legal rights of Christians. •Imprisoned Clergy •Mutilated and murdered Christians.

Edict of Toleration• In 305, Galerius forced Diocletian to resign• Galerius became ill; Christians convinced him it

was God’s punishment for persecuting them • Edict of Toleration:

1) pardoned Christians, allowed them to pursue their faith and to assemble together

2) required them to pray to their God for the emperor and the public good.

Constantine(306-324)

WESTMaxentius (Emperor)

Constantine (Caesar)

EASTMaximinus Daia

(Emperor)

Licinius (Caesar)

Constantine: Conquest of Western Empire (312)

• War against Maxentius• Eve of the Battle of the

Milvian Bridge• Saw a vision:

Chi & Rho In hoc signes vinces –

“In this sign, you will conquer”

• He painted the Chi-Rho on his soldiers’ shields

• Maxentius drowned in river

Edict of Milan (313)

• Constantine met with Licinius at Milan and established an alliance which required the cessation of Christian persecution

• Maximinus Daia (eastern emperor) continued persecution until he was defeated by Licinius

• In 324, Constantine defeated Licinius and became sole emperor; then persecution of Christians ceased throughout the empire.

WESTMaxentius (Emperor)

Constantine (Caesar)

EASTMaximinus Daia

(Emperor)

Licinius (Caesar)