Persecution of Christians in Ancient Rome

As Paul’s missionary work converted more Romans to Christianity, slowly the persecution of Christians started to rise as well. It was expected that all Romans take part in animal sacrifice in order to properly honor the gods. Too, Romans were required to worship the emperor, for the emperor had a direct connection to God. Taking part in these daily activities was against Christian belief, therefore a strong dislike of Christians started to grow throughout the empire. To the Romans, Christians were seen as “outsiders” who participated in strange rituals, traditions, and needed to be closely monitored.

By the year 60 C.E., Christians were starting to attract the notice of the Romans, and those in power began to feel threatened. However, it was not until Nero became emperor in the year 55 CE that the Roman government sought to actively persecute and punish Christians. Those proud enough to acknowledge their Christian beliefs were often beaten, murdered, and sacrificed to the Roman gods. In the year 64 CE, a great fire broke out in Rome that destroyed many Christian communities. To further persecute the group, Nero even blamed the fire on Christians, which led to even more backlash from the Roman public. Most Romans responded with violence when Christians failed to maintain their former customs, particularly the acknowledgement of the Roman gods. Others were much kinder to Christians as they shared a different perspective, asking themselves, “What difference would one more God make?”

But Christians refused to worship the other Roman gods. Christians also denied that the emperor was a god. Many Romans saw the Christian way of life as an insult to Roman traditions. Instead of wealth and luxury, Christians preferred simplicity. Too, Christians in Rome were pacifists. They refused to serve in the military and cited Jesus’ message of peace and love as their reason.

As more and more people converted to Christianity, many Romans saw them as a threat to the Roman way of life. Too, if Christians refused to serve in the military - what may happen to Rome’s position in the world? Eventually, Christianity was declared illegal.

Even after Nero, emperors were determined to make an example of these disloyal citizens. Christians were sentenced to die in cruel and painful ways for refusing to honor the Roman gods. Some were even crucified like Jesus had been. Still others were burned to death. In front of cheering crowds, many Christians were thrown into arenas with wild animals where they were devoured.

pacifist - one who refuses to fight or serve in an armed force

Here, a Christian woman is sacrificed to lions in a

Roman arena.

©HistorywithMr.E-ASocialStudiesProfessionalSpecializinginAmericanandWorldHistoryforlateElementary,Middle,andearlyHighSchool

As Paul’s missionary work converted more Romans to Christianity, slowly the persecution of Christians started to rise as well. It was expected that all Romans take part in animal sacrifice in order to properly honor the gods. Too, Romans were required to worship the emperor, for the emperor had a direct connection to God. Taking part in these daily activities was against Christian belief, therefore a strong dislike of Christians started to grow throughout the empire. To the Romans, Christians were seen as “outsiders” who participated in strange rituals, traditions, and needed to be closely monitored.

By the year 60 C.E., Christians were starting to attract the notice of the Romans, and those in power began to feel threatened. However, it was not until Nero became emperor in the year 55 CE that the Roman government sought to actively persecute and punish Christians. Those proud enough to acknowledge their Christian beliefs were often beaten, murdered, and sacrificed to the Roman gods. In the year 64 CE, a great fire broke out in Rome that destroyed many Christian communities. To further persecute the group, Nero even blamed the fire on Christians, which led to even more backlash from the Roman public.

Most Romans responded with violence when Christians failed to maintain their former customs, particularly the acknowledgement of the Roman gods. Others were much kinder to Christians as they shared a different perspective, asking themselves, “What difference would one more God make?”

But Christians refused to worship the other Roman gods. Christians also denied that the

emperor was a god. Many Romans saw the Christian way of life as an insult to Roman traditions. Instead of wealth and luxury, Christians preferred simplicity. Too, Christians in Rome were pacifists. They refused to

serve in the military and cited Jesus’ message of peace and love as their reason.

As more and more people converted to

Christianity, many Romans saw them as a threat to the Roman way of life. If Christians refused to serve in the military - what may happen to Rome’s position in the world? Eventually, Christianity was declared illegal.

Even after Nero, emperors were determined to make an example of these disloyal citizens. Christians were sentenced to die in cruel and painful ways for refusing to honor the Roman gods. Some were even crucified like Jesus

had been. Still others were burned to death. In front of cheering crowds, many Christians were thrown intoarenas with wild animals where they were devoured.

Persecution of Christians

in Ancient Rome

However, even with the persecutions, Rome was unable to destroy the new religion. Instead, more people converted to Christianity after witnessing the bravery of many of the believers. Christians who were thrown to lions and bears showed their bravery by singing hymns as they were torn apart. Too, Christianity continued to attract new followers because of the sense of purpose and hope it offered many people. It taught that even the poor and enslaved could look forward to a better life after death if they followed in the ways of Christ.

Eventually, people of all classes and ways of life adopted the new religion. By 300 CE, researchers estimate that there were more than 5 million Christians throughout the Roman Empire.

In the year 313 CE, a major event took place that would forever strengthen the Christian faith. Emperor Constantine of the west and Emperor Licinius of the east met in Milan, Italy to discuss how to promote the Roman empire’s interests

going forward. Having just converted to Christianity a year earlier, Constantine sought ways to better treat the Christians were fought persecution throughout the empire. In 313, Constantine released the Edict of Milan; this document gave full religious freedom to Christians. This document marks the final abandonment of anti-Christian policies.

This edict would pave the way for Emperor Theodosius in 380 CE. The Edict of Thessalonica, delivered on February 27, 380, made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. In a mere 350 years, Christianity had done the unthinkable: it had evolved from a small, fringe religion to dominate the the largest empire the world had ever seen.

Notice the amount of churches throughout Europe by the end of the 3rd century. Imagine how

many more would spring up after Constantine made it the official religion of the Roman Empire!

Emperor Constantine: “The Christian Emperor”

©HistorywithMr.E-ASocialStudiesProfessionalSpecializinginAmericanandWorldHistoryforlateElementary,Middle,andearlyHighSchool

However, even with the persecutions, Rome was unable to destroy the new religion.

Instead, more people converted to Christianity after witnessing the bravery of many of the believers. Christians who were thrown to lions and bears showed their bravery by singing hymns as they were torn

apart. Too, Christianity continued to attract new followers because of the sense of purpose and hope it offered many people. It taught that even the poor and enslaved could look forward to a better life after death if

they followed in the ways of Christ.

Eventually, people of all classes and ways of life adopted the new religion. By 300 CE, researchers estimate that there were more than 5 million Christians throughout the

Roman Empire.

In the year 313 CE, a major event took place that would forever strengthen the Christian faith. Emperor Constantine of the west and Emperor Licinius of the east met in Milan,

Italy to discuss how to promote the Roman empire’s interests

going forward. Having just converted to Christianity a year earlier, Constantine sought

ways to better treat the Christians were fought persecution throughout the empire. In 313, Constantine released the Edict of Milan; this document gave full religious freedom to Christians. This document marks the final

abandonment of anti-Christian policies.

This edict would pave the way for Emperor Theodosius in 380 CE. The Edict of Thessalonica, delivered on February 27, 380, made Christianity the official religion of the

Roman Empire. In a mere 350 years, Christianity had done the unthinkable: it had evolved from a small, fringe religion to dominate the the largest empire the world had ever seen.