Review article
Persecutions of the Christians, in particular at the time of Diocletian
Grgo Grbešić
; Catholic Faculty of Theology in Đakovo, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek
Abstract
The persecutions of the Christians occurred during three periods: the fi rst was up to 100 AD, the second from 100 to 250 AD, the third from 250 to 311 AD. They were not continuous. At certain periods the Christians were allowed to build their churches and organize their religious schools. The reasons for the persecutions can be traced to: the hatred of the Jews against the Christians, the example of Nero, the exemplary life of Christians, the Christian secret concerning
the Eucharist, the Christian missionary spirit, the loss of the material gain from the heathen priests and sorcerers due to their converting to Christianity, the envy of Stoics and philosophers. The most gruesome persecutions happened in the third period. Prior to the persecutions of Diocletian, Christianity made a breakthrough into the culture of the Antiquity by extending to the educated circles. The reaction was not slow in coming. After Diocletian had reorganized
his empire, he set off for retribution against the Christians. From 303 to 304 AD four Edicts were issued. The accurate number of victims during the last persecution period cannot be established. In 313 AD the emperor Constantine granted the Christians freedom to practice their religious belief.
Keywords
Persecutions; martyrdom; Christians; empire; edict
Hrčak ID:
36284
URI
Publication date:
29.1.2009.
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