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The Diocletianic or Great Persecution was the last and most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. In 303, the emperors Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius issued a series of edicts rescinding Christians' legal rights and demanding that they comply with traditional religious practices. Later edicts targeted the clergy ...
Though it's popular to believe that Christians were always being persecuted in the Roman empire, it's not true. Empire-wide persecutions were rare, and the Great Persecution under Diocletian was the only one of any great length, lasting eight years.
The first persecution of Christians organized by the Roman government was under the emperor Nero in AD 64 after the Great Fire of Rome and took place entirely within the city of Rome. The Edict of Serdica , issued in 311 by the Roman emperor Galerius , officially ended the Diocletianic persecution of Christianity in the East.
- Early Career
- Dividing The Empire
- Internal Administration
- Diocletian & The Christians
- Abdication & Death
Diocles, who would become known to history as Diocletian, was born of humble origins on 22 December 245 CE in the Balkan province of Dalmatia. Like many of those who preceded him, after entering the Roman army, he rose quickly through the ranks, eventually becoming a member of an elite corps within the Illyrian army. Later, his abilities were rewar...
Diocletian understood that a major problem in ruling a territory of the extent of the Roman Empire was its immense size. It was far too large to be ruled by just one person, so one of the first actions taken by the new emperor was to split the empire into two parts. Lacking an heir, in November of 285 CE, shortly after securing the imperial throne ...
These victories finally allowed time for Diocletian to turn his attention to another project - domestic affairs. Although his greatest achievement would always be the tetrarchy, he also reorganized the entire empire from the tax system to provincial administration. In order to reduce the possibility of revolts in the outlying provinces, the emperor...
Aside from the continued problems with finance and border security, Diocletian was concerned with the continuing growth of Christianity, a religion that appealed to both the poor and the rich. The Christians had shown themselves to be a thorn in the side of an emperor since the days of Nero. The problem grew worse as their numbers increased. Diocle...
In 303 CE after his only trip to Rome, Diocletian became seriously ill, eventually forcing him to abdicate the throne in 305 CE and take retirement in his huge palace-fortress in Spalatum (modern-day Split in Croatia). The huge walled complex included colonnaded streets, reception rooms, a temple, a mausoleum, a bathhouse, and extensive gardens. Di...
- Donald L. Wasson
May 13, 2024 · Diocletian, Roman emperor (284–305 CE) who restored efficient government to the empire after the near anarchy of the 3rd century. He laid the foundation for the Byzantine Empire in the East and shored up the decaying empire in the West. The last major persecution of Christians occurred during his reign.
- As Roman emperor for more than 20 years (284–305 CE), Diocletian brought stability, security, and efficient government to the Roman state after nea...
- Diocletian was an adherent of the traditional Roman religion involving worship of the pantheon of deities including Jove (Jupiter), Mars, Apollo, a...
- At the urging of the caesar Galerius, in 303 Diocletian began the last major persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire, resulting in the destru...
The Great Persecution (303-313) - Ever since the crucifixion of Christ and mission of the Apostle Paul, Christianity spread through the Roman Empire like wildfire. Not long after, persecution of the new faith began by the Roman authorities.
Aug 21, 2020 · It identifies three catalysts for persecution: a rapid expansion for Christianity from the 260s to 303, purges of Christians in the Roman army in the 290s, and a Diocletianic restoration of traditional values.
