The Persecution of Christians in Rome: Difference between revisions
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[[ | <!-- interlanguage:start -->[[ko:로마의 기독교 박해]]<!-- interlanguage:end -->'''Roman persecution of Christians''' began during the reign of Nero, the fifth emperor of Rome, and continued for about 250 years until Emperor Constantine officially recognized Christianity with the Edict of Milan in AD 313. In the early days of the apostles, persecution came primarily from the Jews, who did not accept [[Jesus Christ|Jesus]] as the [[Christ]]. At that time, there was no persecution from Rome. Roman persecution began later, as Christianity spread beyond [[Jerusalem]] into Asia Minor and Europe. Initially, persecution was not an official imperial policy; it occurred sporadically in certain regions, and there were even periods of relative peace. However, this changed in AD 250 when Emperor Decius initiated the first empire-wide persecution of Christians, requiring all citizens to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods. | ||
'''Roman persecution of Christians''' began during the reign of Nero, the fifth emperor of Rome, and continued for about 250 years until Emperor Constantine officially recognized Christianity with the Edict of Milan in AD 313. In the early days of the apostles, persecution came primarily from the Jews, who did not accept [[Jesus Christ|Jesus]] as the [[Christ]]. At that time, there was no persecution from Rome. Roman persecution began later, as Christianity spread beyond [[Jerusalem]] into Asia Minor and Europe. Initially, persecution was not an official imperial policy; it occurred sporadically in certain regions, and there were even periods of relative peace. However, this changed in AD 250 when Emperor Decius initiated the first empire-wide persecution of Christians, requiring all citizens to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods. | |||
Despite the threat of imprisonment, torture, and death, [[Christian|Christians]] continued to preach the [[gospel]] with unwavering courage. Their fearless faith, even in the face of martyrdom, deeply moved many, leading to a growing number of converts. As a result, Christianity rapidly spread throughout the Roman Empire and along the entire Mediterranean coast. | Despite the threat of imprisonment, torture, and death, [[Christian|Christians]] continued to preach the [[gospel]] with unwavering courage. Their fearless faith, even in the face of martyrdom, deeply moved many, leading to a growing number of converts. As a result, Christianity rapidly spread throughout the Roman Empire and along the entire Mediterranean coast. | ||
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===Domitian=== | ===Domitian=== | ||
[[File:Nicolas Poussin - Landscape with Saint John on Patmos - 1930.500 - Art Institute of Chicago.jpg|thumb|'''''Landscape | [[File:Nicolas Poussin - Landscape with Saint John on Patmos - 1930.500 - Art Institute of Chicago.jpg|thumb|'''''Landscape with Saint John on Patmos''''', Nicolas Poussin, 1649: During Domitian’s persecution, Apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos.]] | ||
Imperator Caesar Augustus Domitianus (reigned 81–96), known for his reign of terror, began persecuting Christians in AD 90s. To strengthen his absolute authority, he restored temples and reinforced the worship of traditional Roman gods, claiming himself to be a living god and the divine protector of Roman religion. | Imperator Caesar Augustus Domitianus (reigned 81–96), known for his reign of terror, began persecuting Christians in AD 90s. To strengthen his absolute authority, he restored temples and reinforced the worship of traditional Roman gods, claiming himself to be a living god and the divine protector of Roman religion. | ||
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===Trajan=== | ===Trajan=== | ||
[[File:Traianus Glyptothek Munich 72 cropped.jpg|thumb|200px|Bust of Trajan who declared Christianity | [[File:Traianus Glyptothek Munich 72 cropped.jpg|thumb|200px|Bust of Trajan who declared Christianity an illegal religion]] | ||
Trajan (Caesar Divi Nervae Filius Nerva Traianus Optimus Augustus, reigned 98–117) was the first Roman emperor to come from a province and is remembered as one of the Five Good Emperors.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Five-Good-Emperors Five Good Emperors], ''Britannica''</ref> Though he had a strong political reputation, his reign left a stain due to his treatment of Christians. Trajan regarded Christianity as a threat to the Roman state, and for that reason, Christianity was deemed an illegal religion. He ordered that anyone who openly professed the Christian faith should be executed. According to tradition, Ignatius, the bishop of Antioch (modern-day Antakya), was brought to Rome during Trajan’s reign and martyred there. | Trajan (Caesar Divi Nervae Filius Nerva Traianus Optimus Augustus, reigned 98–117) was the first Roman emperor to come from a province and is remembered as one of the Five Good Emperors.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Five-Good-Emperors Five Good Emperors], ''Britannica''</ref> Though he had a strong political reputation, his reign left a stain due to his treatment of Christians. Trajan regarded Christianity as a threat to the Roman state, and for that reason, Christianity was deemed an illegal religion. He ordered that anyone who openly professed the Christian faith should be executed. According to tradition, Ignatius, the bishop of Antioch (modern-day Antakya), was brought to Rome during Trajan’s reign and martyred there. | ||
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===Septimius Severus=== | ===Septimius Severus=== | ||
Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax (reigned 193–211) was initially tolerant toward Christians and reportedly viewed them as “good, quiet, and industrious citizens.” However, as the Roman Empire faced internal instability—including threats of rebellion and civil war—Severus sought to unify the empire through religious syncretism. He promoted the worship of Sol Invictus (the Unconquered Sun) and encouraged all subjects to recognize the sun as the supreme deity. When Judaism and Christianity resisted this movement, persecution followed. In AD 202, Severus issued an edict prohibiting conversions to Judaism or Christianity. Those who attempted to convert were even executed in public arenas such as amphitheaters.<ref name=":0" /> The persecution under Severus was not empire-wide but was concentrated mainly in Alexandria and regions of North. | Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax (reigned 193–211) was initially tolerant toward Christians and reportedly viewed them as “good, quiet, and industrious citizens.” However, as the Roman Empire faced internal instability—including threats of rebellion and civil war—Severus sought to unify the empire through religious syncretism. He promoted the worship of Sol Invictus (the Unconquered Sun) and encouraged all subjects to recognize the sun as the supreme deity. When Judaism and Christianity resisted this movement, persecution followed. In AD 202, Severus issued an edict prohibiting conversions to Judaism or Christianity. Those who attempted to convert were even executed in public arenas such as amphitheaters.<ref name=":0" /> The persecution under Severus was not empire-wide but was concentrated mainly in Alexandria and the regions of the North. | ||
===Maximinus Thrax=== | ===Maximinus Thrax=== | ||
