23rd February 303: Start of Emperor Diocletian's 'Great Persecution'
Diocletian was declared Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire in 284. Within two decades he had established a powerful ‘tetrarchy’ of four rulers who began to restore order and wealth to an empire that had suffered a range of internal and external threats over the previous century.
Christians were perceived by many in traditional Roman society to be a threat to the established order. Not only was the religion seen as a foreign cult, it was built on a monotheistic belief that directly undermined traditional Roman religion. Contemporary sources say that Diocletian himself was broadly tolerant of Christians in the early years of his rule and indicate that it was the tetrarch Galerius who encouraged the introduction of persecutory policies.
On 23 February 303 Diocletian ordered that the newly-built church in Nicomedia should be destroyed, along with its scriptures. The following day he published the first of four edicts that went on to strip Christians of their legal rights and the freedom to assemble to worship, and later demanded that they conform to established Roman religious practices such as performing sacrifices to the gods.
The persecutions continued for eight years, during which time thousands of Christians were killed for their faith. Nevertheless, the religion survived and, shortly after Diocletian’s death in 311, Galerius himself issued the Edict of Toleration which legalised Christianity in the Eastern Empire. Constantine and Licinius went further in 313 and, following the former’s emergence as sole Emperor in 324, Christianity quickly began to spread across the Empire.
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Really great info. Thanks!
A great video as always
This is very good work! Very to the point and informative. Are there some books or journals that you can recommend to read more on this topic? Once again, thanks for the great vid!
My favourite Saint, Agnes, was persecuted during Diocletian's reign.
Can u cover the great fire rome
Wait, I think you're a day off. I read that Diocletian actually began the persecution on February 24. Other than that, I appreciate your work. Who do you think was the worst emperor to persecution Christianity in the Roman Empire?
@historypod
4 жыл бұрын
He issued the first of the four edicts on the 24th, but the 23rd saw the destruction of the church at Nicomedia and is held to mark the 'start' of the Great Persecution since the persecution was really a connected series of events.
He saw them as a threat that is why he attacked at end of his reign. That being said I think it was Maximian who hated the church and Diocletian was possibly an unwilling participant.
The 7 sleepers of the cave were from that time.
@pakarpintu4917
2 жыл бұрын
The 7 sleepers maybe from Caligula era, Caligula call himself Dyonisus who in arabic can hear as Dikyanus
Peace in JESUS, Are you saying that Constantine helped the spread of “Christianity”?
@historypod
4 жыл бұрын
Correlation doesn't necessarily equal causation, but the Edict of Milan and the religious toleration it granted certainly allowed Christians to practice their faith without the threat of persecution. His conversion also helped the religion enormously.
Well this is awkward
Diocletian done good ting.
@kencook4607
Жыл бұрын
What an incredibly stupid thing to say.
@davidhughes8357
Жыл бұрын
What's a ting?
@theflyingguillotine3788
Жыл бұрын
@@davidhughes8357 pretty sure it was a golden age Chinese dynasty.
@TimCizej137
Жыл бұрын
@@theflyingguillotine3788 You are an idiot.
@ayanleman
7 ай бұрын
@@theflyingguillotine3788its also a carribean beef patty
Incorrect. "False indoctrinated christianity" began to spread throughout the empire. Constantine would not allow true christianity, that is, the obedience to Gods laws, holy days, etc, to be practiced. Daniel 7:25 says that "the 4th beast will think to change Gids holy days and laws". Babylon was the 1st beast per Daniel. Medo-Persia was the 2nd beast. We later find out that Greece was the 3rd beast, and according to Daniel, the 4th beast would concure the 3rd beast. This was Rome. And under Constantine, false christianity arose.
You say Christians but then you show pagan catholic artwork
@AtticTapes14
Жыл бұрын
Catholic is Christian
@filipskalic3376
Жыл бұрын
I know the types of you, obviously you need to educate more
@luisbergantino
Жыл бұрын
Hello, Josh. To what specific church did you belong?
@Minassigma
Жыл бұрын
orthodox
@israelv.maldonado3483
5 ай бұрын
@@AtticTapes14 Catholicism is a religion in Christianity .Catholic is NOT CHRISTIAN . CHRISTIAN IS A PERSON THAT IS CHRIST-LIKE .AND THAT IS MONOTHEISTIC .(BELIEF IN ONE GOD AND THAT GOD IS JESUS CHRIST ) CHRISTIANITY IS A RELIGION THAT IS PAGAN ORIGIN .THEREFORE IT IS A WHORE CHURCH WHICH MEANS ITS A FALSE CHURCH . THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS HELL WORSHIP THAT WORSHIPS A FALSE GOD IN 3 PERSONS .WHICH IS THE UNHOLY TRINITY . EVERY MAJOR DENOMINATION HOLDS THIS SAME BELIEF OF THE TRINITY .AND THERE ALL ON THERE WAY TO HELL FOR IT .