As early as the beginning of the second century Roman
officials began to search out and punish Christians, wherever they were found. During
the third century the entire power of the imperial government was directed
against this outlawed sect. The persecution which began under Diocletian was
the last and most severe. With some interruptions it continued for eight years.
Only Gaul and Britain seem to have escaped its ravages. The government began by
burning the holy books of the Christians, by destroying their churches, and by
taking away their property. Members of the hated faith lost their privileges as
full Roman citizens. Then sterner measures followed. The prisons were crowded
with Christians. Those who refused to recant and sacrifice to the emperor were
thrown to wild animals in the arena, stretched on the rack, or burned over a
slow fire. Every refinement of torture was practiced. Paganism, fighting for
its existence, left no means untried to root out a sect both despised and
feared.
THE MARTYRS
The Christians joyfully suffered for their religion. They
welcomed the torture and death which would gain for them a heavenly crown.
Those who perished were called martyrs, that is, "witnesses." Even
now the festal day of a martyr is the day of his death.
