1. The Final Persecution
Diocletian

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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)

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