The Final Persecution Diocletian

Church enjoyed a relatively long period of peace after Decius and Valerian persecutions Early in 4th century though, the last (Of the Roman Empire) and worst persecutions began to break out Diocletian was emperor and he divided the kingdom into 4 parts

Diocletian 4 emperors 2 had title Augustus-Diocletian in east and Maximian in the west Under each was a junior emperor-Caesar Galerius under Diocletian and Constantius Chlorus under Maximian Diocletian ultimately in control

Diocletian Was to ensure orderly process of succession Caesar would succeed Augustus and then pick a new Caesar His intention was to avert civil wars but this did not happen Peaceful administration at first with only Galerius having military campaigns along the Danube

Diocletian Seems Galerius is the only one of the 4 with hostility toward Christians Diocletian’s wife and daughter were Christians even though they later recanted and offered sacrifices to gods amidst persecution

Military Issues Many Christians would not serve in military but some did In 295, many Christians were put to death for refusing to join the army and for trying to leave it Galerius viewed Christians in the army as dangerous from fear they would disobey an order

Galerius Galerius convinced Diocletian that all Christians should be expelled from the military so he did but this was supposed to be the totality of the edict Some military leaders did not wish to see their ranks weakened made Christians deny their faith which resulted in executions This only occurred in Galerius’ army

Persecution In 303, Galerius had Diocletian issue and edict against Christians to remove them from positions within the empire such as government jobs Christian buildings and books were to be destroyed also Many refused to hand over sacred writings so were tortured or killed

Persecution Fire broke out twice in the imperial palace and Galerius accused Christians of retaliation and Christians accused him of setting the fires Diocletian then issued edict saying Christians must offer sacrifices to gods which is when his wife and daughter did Many Christians were put to death during this Constantius Chlorus seems to be only emperor where persecution wasn’t that bad

Persecution Diocletian became paranoid and accused Christians of trying to kill him and forced them to offer sacrifices This was most cruel persecution the ancient church endured Some hid and saved the sacred writings and some fled to Persia

Persecution Galerius wanted the supreme position and in 304 Diocletian became ill so Galerius had him abdicate He then took Maximian’s position by threatening to invade Galerius and Constantius Chlorus took titles of Augustus

Persecution Constantius and Maximian’s sons did not like this Constantine and Maxentius were popular Constantine had lived in Diocletian’s and Galerius’ courts apparently as a hostage to ensure his father’s loyalty He later escaped or was released

Constantine Constantius was ill so when he dies his troops refused to obey Galerius and claimed Constantine as their Augustus Licinius was named Augustus in the turmoil but many others made claims to throne Constantine was biding his time and strengthening his army in Gaul and Great Britain Meanwhile, persecution continued

Constantine Galerius became ill and issued an edict in 311 changing his policy on persecuting Christians He died 5 days later and this began ending the persecution Empire now divided between: Licinius, Maximinus Daia, Constantine, and Maxentius The first 3 did not recognize Maxentius

Constantine Maximinus Daia was only one who still persecuted Christians now Constantine gathered his armies and invaded Rome Maxentius should have stayed behind walls but fought and lost

Constantine 2 versions of Constantine the night before He had a dream and was commanded to place a Christian symbol on the shields of his soldiers Other version says a vision appeared in the sky with the words “In this you shall conquer.” He did order chi & rho-first 2 letters of Christ Could have been a Christian symbol

Constantine He still worshiped the unconquered son even though many claim he was converted that night Some say his conversion took time Maxentius was defeated either way In 313, Constantine issued Edict of Milan ending persecution (Daia still defied it for a while)

Constantine Was it good for Christianity? Persecution or power? Which is harder to face?