Background Information
The Roman Empire was one of the most powerful and influential empires in the ancient world. Christianity, a monotheistic religion, began in the region in the 1st century and gradually spread across the empire.Though originally tolerated by the Roman Empire, the Christian faith eventually came into conflict with the polytheistic beliefs of the Roman people. As the extent of Christian influence grew, the Romans responded with persecution.
Government-Sanctioned Persecution of Christians
From the accession of Emperor Nero in 54 CE onwards, the Roman government began to actively persecute Christians, as Nero blamed them for an event as the Great Fire of Rome that had happened the previous year. This form of persecution was at times violent, with Roman officials torturing and executing those who refused to deny their faith in the gods of Rome. Quotas were even put in place in the early months of Trajan’s rule advocating that a certain number of Christians be executed in grander ceremonies. This gave a period where most Roman emperors were against the Christian faith and so persecuted it, lasting until Constantine’s Edict of Milan in 313 CE.
Christianity Proscribed
During the peak of persecution, Roman authorities forbade Christians from gathering in large groups, preaching in public or even performing the Eucharist. Christians were oftentimes isolated from the public, made to pay hefty fines, and would sometimes have their property confiscated. The punishments became more extreme as time went on, inlcuding beatings, exile, flogging and even crucifixion. Roman edicts that were regularly issued in the region even went so far as to forbid people from converting to Christianity, with harsh sentences for those that failed to obey.
Christian Resistance
Christianity was a troublesome issue for the Romans due to its rapidly growing popularity among the general population. Despite the persecution, faith in the Christian God remained strong and people refused to give in to Roman demands to deny their faith. Some even used the persecution as a form of martyrdom to spread the faith even further. There were a number of famous stories of martyrs, such as the seven Christian men who famously defied the Emperor Decius by refusing to offer a sacrifice to the Roman gods.
The Great Persecution
The most famous event in the history of Roman persecution of Christianity was the Great Persecution, a period of intense persecution put into effect by the Roman Emperor Diocletian in 303 CE. The goal of this persecution was to wipe out the faith by any means necessary, and it included the destruction of Christian texts, books, and churches and the torture and execution of those who refused to deny their faith. It lasted for ten years, until Constantine’s aforementioned Edict of Milan in which he proclaimed religious tolerance for all Roman citizens.
Legacy of Persecution
While Constantine’s Edict of Milan officially ended the Roman persecution of Christianity, the legacy of Roman hatred and intolerance of the Christian faith continued into the fourth century and beyond. Despite the efforts of some emperors to put an end to religious persecution, others such as Julian the Apostate actively persecuted the Christian faith. The legacy of Roman persecution of Christianity has shaped the course of history, and continues to be felt even today.
Consequences of Persecution
The Roman persecution of Christianity had long-lasting effects, both positive and negative. The government’s hard-handed approach to suppressing the Christian faith led to increased awareness and spread of the faith across the empire. The persecution also caused some to doubt the legitimacy of the Roman Empire, leading some to question the emperor’s rule. The legacy of the Roman persecution of Christianity also shaped Christianity as a religion, leading to the formation of orthodox and heresies, and causing a divide between East and West.
The Impact on Christianity
The Roman persecution of Christianity had a profound effect on the faith itself. It led to the rise of various Christian sects such as the Donatists, who believed that only those baptized by martyrs could be saved, and the Montanists, who suggested an ascetic lifestyle. The hard conditions of the persecution also caused a divide between Eastern and Western Christianity, and the effects can still be felt today.
Economic Implications
The Roman persecution of Christianity had major economic implications as well. The lavish ceremonies and elaborate monuments that were used to honor the gods of Rome were expensive and put a strain on the public coffers. Additionally, the fines imposed upon those who refused to deny their faith in the gods significantly diminished the Roman Empire’s economic resources.
Role of Constantine
Emperor Constantine’s Edict of Milan in 313 CE was an important step in ending the Roman persecution of Christianity, as it granted religious tolerance to all Roman citizens. Prior to his edict, Christianity had been met with harsh persecution, and was seen as an affront to the state’s official religion. Under Constantine, Christianity began to be accepted by many in the Roman Empire, and it quickly spread to other parts of the world.
Decline of Persecution
The Roman persecution of Christianity began to decline as the century progressed and Christianity became more accepted by the Roman Empire. By the fourth century, Christianity had become the official religion of the Roman Empire, and widespread persecution of the faith ceased. As time went on, the religion began to spread to other parts of the world, paving the way for the eventual emergence of modern Christianity.
Significance of Persecution
The Roman persecution of Christianity played an important role in the history of the religion. It led to the rise of various sects of the faith, the divide between Eastern and Western Christianity and an increased awareness of the religion among the general population. Additionally, the Roman persecutions gave the religion a feeling of martyrdom which contributed to its eventual widespread acceptance.
