Diocletian's Great Persecution

Definition

Diocletian's Great Persecution was a systematic campaign of persecution against Christians initiated by Roman Emperor Diocletian between 303 and 311 CE. This period is marked by severe measures, including the destruction of Christian texts, the closing of churches, and the imprisonment or execution of Christians, reflecting a significant clash between the Roman state and the burgeoning Christian community.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Diocletian's Great Persecution is often considered one of the most severe episodes of anti-Christian violence in the Roman Empire.
2. The persecution began with the issuance of four edicts that targeted Christian leaders and aimed to force Christians to conform to traditional Roman religious practices.
3. Christians were subjected to torture, imprisonment, and execution for refusing to renounce their faith or sacrifice to Roman gods.
4. The persecution varied by region; some areas experienced intense violence while others had relatively less severe treatment of Christians.
5. Despite the efforts to eradicate Christianity, the Great Persecution ultimately failed to suppress the faith, leading to its growth in numbers and influence in subsequent years.

Review Questions

• How did Diocletian's Great Persecution impact the relationship between Christians and the Roman state?
  • Diocletian's Great Persecution severely strained the relationship between Christians and the Roman state. The empire's attempts to enforce traditional pagan practices highlighted the growing divide between paganism and Christianity. While this persecution aimed to eliminate Christianity as a social force, it instead galvanized Christian communities, deepening their resolve and unity in faith as they faced extreme adversity.
• Discuss the methods used during Diocletian's Great Persecution and their effectiveness in suppressing Christianity.
  • During Diocletian's Great Persecution, methods included public executions, torture, confiscation of property, and mandatory sacrifices to Roman gods. While these actions created a climate of fear and suffering among Christians, they ultimately failed to suppress Christianity. Instead, many Christians chose martyrdom over renouncing their faith, which paradoxically strengthened their communities and attracted new followers who admired their bravery.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of Diocletian's Great Persecution on the development of Christianity within the Roman Empire.
  • The long-term consequences of Diocletian's Great Persecution were profound for Christianity's development in the Roman Empire. Although it aimed to eradicate Christianity, it instead reinforced Christian identity and resolve. The eventual Edict of Milan in 313 CE not only ended the persecution but also established Christianity as a legally recognized religion, paving the way for its dominance in the empire. This shift dramatically altered religious dynamics, leading to an era where Christianity became intertwined with state affairs and influenced European history for centuries to come.

Related terms

Edict of Milan:

A proclamation issued in 313 CE by Emperor Constantine that granted religious tolerance to Christians and marked the end of the Great Persecution.

Martyrdom: The act of suffering death for one’s religious beliefs, often regarded as a significant testament to faith within Christianity during periods of persecution.

Constantine the Great: The first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, whose reign marked a turning point for Christians after the era of persecution.