5/8/13

The Diocletian persecution was the last major persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. In the 250's laws were passed against christian citizens. In 260 Gallineus issued an edict that regarded tolerance towards Christians resulting in peace for many years. Later, Diocletian began to persecute Christians after being urged by Galerius . the great persecution lasted form 303 to 311. Diocletian's goal was to wipe out the church. He thought they were causing a fire and wanted to end it. They were told by him to offer sacrifices to Jupiter. h was trying to convert them back to paganism. Some of the edicts he issued were:  1.) commanding that the churches Should be razed to the ground, the Scriptures destroyed by fire, those who held positions of honor degraded, and the household servants, if they persisted in the Christian profession, be deprived of their liberty. 2.) if they would sacrifice, but that those who refused should be tormented with countless tortures; 3.) all the people throughout the city should sacrifice and pour out libations to the idols. 4.)all the people should offer sacrifice and that the that the rulers of the city should see to this diligently and zealously. These were the main edicts that affected the Christians. Later, Constantine restored the Christians faith and rebuilt their churches.