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Christians in the Roman Empire | June 22, 2004

In the first 4 centuries Christians experienced severe persecution in the Roman empire. Historians reconstruct three waves of persecution. The first was around the year 64 under Nero. The second started at the time of the 1000 year celebration of the Roman empire (in the year 248), initiated by the emperor Decius and carried on by Valerian (253-260). The third wave of persecution was under the emperor Diocletian in the early 4th century. With the Edict of Tolerance under Galerius (311) and the Edict of Milan (313), Giving Christianity favored status, under Constantine (West Rome) and Licinius (East Rome) Christianity began to gain acceptance in the Roman empire. In 323 Constantine defeated Licinius and became emperor of the entire Roman Empire. This marks the beginning of the rise of Christianity. After another non-Christian emperor, Julian (361-363), Christianity became the undisputed dominant religion in the Roman empire by the end of the 4th century.

Posted by admin at June 22, 2004 12:22 PM


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