64-330 AD Flashcards
Domitian
Instigated the persecution that was the background to the Book of Revelation. He loved Roman tradition and thought people were forgetting how to worship pagan gods, therefore he wanted to throw out Jews and Christians. He ended up being killed by his own guard, and people tried to remove him from history.
Septimius Severus
Put in general edicts, trying to hunt down Christians and convert them back to paganism. In his edicts, he forbade further conversions to Christianity and aimed persecutions mainly at converts and priests. Problems he faced were: 1.) Threat of Barbarian invasions; 2.)Economic Crises; 3.) Civil wars and threat of rebellion; 4.) Increasing abandonment of traditional customs/religions.
Decius
Decius’ persecutions resulted from an edict issued in 250 AD ordering everyone in the Roman Empire to perform a sacrifice to the Roman gods and to the well being of the emperor. The people who sacrificed would receive a certificate. However, this failed as people fraudulently obtained the certificates. As a result of Decian persecution, some people became apostate, and some because temporarily apostate who recanted their faith. Because of this, new Christian tradition came to be.
Cyprian
The Bishop of Carthage who converted to Christianity at age 40. He fled to the forest when the persecutions began in order to continue guiding his flock to safety. When he returned, he was accused of cowardice, and the Confessors claimed authority to forgive the lapsed, not Cyprian. Cyprian sided with Cornelius, the Pope, stating that the lapsed should be allowed readmittance into the church.
Valerian
Persecuted Christians during his reign, including Cyprian, the Bishop of Carthage, and Novation, the anti-pope. Under his rule and persecutions, Christians fled to the catacombs of Rome and to cemeteries to practice their religion.
Diocletian
Led the Great Persecution. This persecution was instigated by Galerius, his Caesar in the Eastern Empire. Under his reign, persecutions increased when they started evicting Christians from the army, passing and Edict in 303 removing any Christians from civil positions, ordering the destruction of churches and scriptures, and eventually requiring all Christians to sacrifice to the gods, and arresting all church leaders. This was the most severe persecution under the Roman Empire. Then, in 305, Galerius made Diocletian step down from his position where Galerius eventually allowed Christians to practice under the Edict of Toleration.
Constantine’s rise to power.
Constantine was a court authority in Diocletian’s court and the son of Constantinius, who was the Caesar in the western empire. Then, Diocletian and Maximian stepped down, Glaerius and Constintinius became emperors. Constintinius wanted Constintine sent to him in York. One year later, Constintinius died, along with Galerius, and Constantine was to become the emperor of the western empire, however, Maxentius had the support of the Roman soldiers in Rome. Constantine made an alliance with LicIndus against Maxentius and Maximian. Constintine met Maxentius in Italy at the Milvian Bridge where they fought a battle. Before the battle, Constantine saw a vision of Chi and Rho. He also saw in hoc signes vinces, which meant, “In this sign, you will conquer.” After that, he painted the Chi-Rho on his soldiers’ shields and fought the battle. In the end, Maxentius was drowned in the river and Constantine took control of the throne. Finally, Constantine formed an alliance with Licinius at Milan that required the cessation of Christian persecution. However, the persecutions did not stop until Maximius Daia was defeated in the east by Licinius. Finally, in 324, Constantine defeated Licinius and became the sole emperor, and the persecution of Christians ceased throughout the empire.
