Persecutions of Christians in the Early Roman Empire
| Emperor (Reign) | Martyrs and other Persecutions of Christians |
| Tiberius (AD 14-37) | ca. 29/30: Crucifixion of Jesus,
just outside of Jerursalem (Mark 15 & par.) ca. 33/36: Deacon Stephen stoned to death by a mob in Jerusalem (Acts 7:51-60) |
| Caligula (37-41) | . |
| Claudius (41-54) | 44: Apostle James, son of Zebedee,
beheaded in Palestine by King Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1-2) ca. 49: Jews (prob. esp. Jewish-Christians) expelled from Rome for causing a disturbance (Acts 18:2; Suetonius) |
| Nero (54-68) | 62: James the Just (the "brother of
the Lord") stoned in Jerusalem 64: Christians blamed for the burning of Rome; some Christians burned at the stake or killed by wild animals ca. 64/66: Apostle Peter crucified just outside of Rome (cf. John 21:18-19) ca. 64/66: Apostle Paul beheaded just outside of Rome (cf. 2 Tim 4:6-8) 60's: unconfirmable stories of the killing of most of the other apostles in various locations by various methods [ 66: Jewish Revolt against Rome begins in Israel/Palestine; some Christians flee across Jordan river to Pella.] |
| Galba (68-69) Otho (69) Vitellius (69) |
. |
| Vespasian (69-79) | [ 70: Destruction of Jerusalem by Roman Army ] |
| Titus (79-81) | . |
| Domitian (81-96) | 90's: John (author of Book of Revelation)
exiled on the island of Patmos (near Ephesus) Rev 2:13 & 17:6 refer to "martyrs" who have shed their blood for Jesus |
| Nerva (96-98) | . |
| Trajan (98-117) | ca. 107: Bishop Ignatius of Antioch
(Syria) condemned to fight wild beasts in Rome ca. 110: Pliny-Trajan correspondence discusses how to deal with people accused of being Christians |
| Hadrian (117-138) | . |
| Antoninus Pius (138-161) | ca. 155-160: Bishop Polycarp of Smyrna (Asia Minor) martyred |
| Marcus Aurelius (161-180) | 160's or 170's: Christian Martyrs of
Lyons & Vienne (southern France) ca. 165: Justin Martyr, beheaded in Rome |
| Lucius Verus (161-169) | . |
| Commodus (180-192) | ca. 180: "The Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs" written |
| Pertinax (193) Didius Julianus (193) |
. |
| Septimius Severus (193-211) | 202: Edict makes it illegal to convert
to Christianity; persecution esp. in North Africa ca. 203: Perpetua & Felicity martyred in Carthage (North Africa) |
| Caracalla (211-217) Macrinus (217-218) Elagabalus (218-222) Severus Alexander (222-235) Maximinus (235-238) Gordian I and II (238) Balbinus (238) Pupienus (238) Gordian III (238-244) Philip the Arab (244-249) |
. |
| Trajanus Decius (249-251) | 250: Major Empire-Wide Persecution;
Christians required to participate in Emperor Worship Bishop Fabian of Rome martyred; Bishop Cyprian of Carthage exiled; Origen of Alexandria tortured to death |
| Trebonianus Gallus (251-253) Aemilian (253) |
. |
| Valerian (253-260) | ca. 258: Bishop Cyprian of Carthage martyred |
| Gallienus (253-268) Claudius Gothicus (268-270) |
. |
| Aurelian (270-275) | some persecutions |
| Tacitus (275-276) Probus (276-282) Carus (282-283) Carinus (283-284) Numerian (283-284) |
. |
| Diocletian (284-305) & Maximian (286-305) |
Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders |
| Constantius Chlorus (305-306) Maxentius (306-312) |
. |
| Galerius (305-311) Licinius (311-323) |
311: Edict of Galerius: toleration for Christians, allowing them to worship openly |
| Constantine (307-337) | 313: Edict of Constantine (Edict of Milan): toleration for all religions, including Christianity; ends persecutions |
| Constantine II (337-340) Constans I (337-350) Constantius II (337-361) Magnentius (350-353) |
. |
| Julian (361-363) | Julian ("the Apostate") abandons Christianity; tries to revive worsihp of pagan gods |
| Jovian (363-364) Valentinian I (364-375) Valens (364-378) Gratian (375-383) Valentinian II (375-392) |
. |
| Theodosius (379-395) | 380: Christianity declared the one and only official religion of the Roman Empire |