Persecutions of Christians in the Early Roman Empire

by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

Roman 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 (probably especially 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 the 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: decrees toleration for Christians, allowing them to worship openly
Constantine (307-337)	313: Edict of Constantine (Edict of Milan): decrees 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