In pagan Roman times when Christians were persecuted, a surprisingly rare occurrence, pagans often gave them assistance where possible, even at some risk to themselves. Although the evidence on the subject is limited, it does seem that the persecutors failed to kindle support among the ordinary inhabitants of the empire, which may partly be why the persecutions never lasted very long.
On the other hand, later Christians made great use of the tradition that those who lived before them had been subject to constant and harsh persecution. Edward Gibbon (The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire) says that the ecclesiastical writers of the fourth and fifth centuries ascribed to the magistrates of Rome the same degree of implacable and unrelenting zeal which filled their own breasts against the heretics or the idolaters of their own times.
The persecution of early christians happened first during the time of Emperor Nero,Emperor Hadrian,Decius and the last greatest persecution was the time of Emperor Diocletian.
Christians referred to Nero as "the Beast" or "the Antichrist," particularly in the context of the Book of Revelation. He was associated with the number 666, which many early Christians interpreted as a coded reference to him, reflecting their belief that he embodied tyranny and persecution. Nero's brutal treatment of Christians, including the infamous persecution following the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD, further solidified his negative reputation among early followers of Christ.
The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.
A:It is part of Christian lore that Christians are persecuted and always have been, with numerous martyrs put to death during early Roman times, but this is far from the truth.Any Christians in North Korea could expect to be persecuted by this oppressive Communist regime, but the risks for Buddhists would be far greater. Some persecution of Christians occurs occasionally in Muslim-majority countries of the Middle East, but the official position of Islam is that Christians, as people of the Book, should be free to worship as they please.Certainly, there was occasional and local, unofficial persecution of the early Christians of the Roman Empire, but it is estimated that widespread official persecution of Christian totalled no more than about twelve years, over the course of approximately three centuries. Origen, who, from his experience as well as reading, was intimately acquainted with the history of the Christians, declared that the number of martyrs was not great. Edward Gibbon (The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire), in explaining the tradition of early Roman persecution, says the ecclesiastical writers of the fourth or fifth centuries ascribed to the magistrates of Rome the same degree of implacable and unrelenting zeal which filled their own breasts against the heretics or the idolaters of their own times. Christians of this period needed to justify their own actions in persecuting others, by claiming that persecution of Christians had been far more common in the past.
AnswerEmperor Decius odered a persecution of Christians in 249, and that persecution lasted for sixteen months. However, he did not really order a slaughter of Christians. He ordered to arrest of the bishops and prevented an election for bishop of Rome for the entire 16 months the persecution lasted. There were no doubt some executions, but the evidence of early Christians is that there was no slaughter.The fourth-century Church Father, Origen, attested that until his time the number of Christian martyrs had not been great and could readily be counted. Dionysius reckoned that in the immense city of Alexandria, under the rigorous persecution of Decius, only ten men and seven women suffered for the profession of the Christian name.
The persecution of early christians happened first during the time of Emperor Nero,Emperor Hadrian,Decius and the last greatest persecution was the time of Emperor Diocletian.
severe persecution
severe persecution
Early Christians often used underground catacombs as burial chambers due to persecution and limited space in cities. These catacombs contained tombs with inscriptions and artwork, and were used for religious gatherings in times of persecution. The catacombs served as important places of worship and remembrance for early Christians.
They feared persecution for their faith
It appears from historical evidence that the early Christians were largely ignored by the pagan Roman Empire, apart from two brief periods of official persecution after 250 CE, and in the Great Persecution early in the fourth century. When disaster struck, local Christians were sometimes accused of angering the gods, resulting in small scale mob attacks on Christian targets, but by and large it appears that Christianity prospered. Edward Gibbon (The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire) believes the Christian tradition of widespread and savage official persecution began around the end of the fourth century, as justification for the persecution of the pagans by Christian authorities.
Christians referred to Nero as "the Beast" or "the Antichrist," particularly in the context of the Book of Revelation. He was associated with the number 666, which many early Christians interpreted as a coded reference to him, reflecting their belief that he embodied tyranny and persecution. Nero's brutal treatment of Christians, including the infamous persecution following the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD, further solidified his negative reputation among early followers of Christ.
Persecution of early Christians helped spread their message by creating fervent believers willing to face persecution for their faith, inspiring others to join the movement. The resilience of persecuted Christians also demonstrated the strength of their beliefs, making Christianity more attractive to outsiders. Additionally, persecution often led to the scattering of believers, resulting in the spread of Christianity to new regions.
Some Roman emperors persecuted the Christians: Nero (in 64-65), Maximinus Thrax 235, Decius in 250, Valerian (253-259) and Diocletian and Galerius (303-311). There as a persecution of Christians by Persians and Jews during Byzantine-Sasanian War of 602-628 and in the in the early and Arab Caliphates.
Yes, the persecution of the early church played a significant role in its spread. As Christians faced opposition and hostility, many were forced to flee their homes, carrying their beliefs with them to new regions. This diaspora facilitated the dissemination of Christian teachings and established communities in diverse areas, ultimately contributing to the growth and expansion of the church. The adversity faced by early Christians often strengthened their resolve and commitment, further aiding the movement's proliferation.
It caused the dispersion of believers who spread the gospel wherever they went thus causing an increase in evangelism, as well as a further spread of the Christian faith, the opposite of what was intended.
The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.The Roman emperor who was especially harsh to Christians would have to be Diocletian as he initiated the "great persecution" which lasted the longest.