Gold Tested in Fire

245 Years of Persecution

• Years 67-312 BC
• Christianity targeted because it threatened authority
• Christianity was still an "underground" religion
• Not a lot of sympathy for Jesus or followers at the time
• Roman rule becoming more harsh and demanding

The Emperor Nero

• Inherited the crown at a young age
• Murdered his mother in order to rule as he wanted
• After he murdered his mother he led a sinful life
• Began to persecute Christians as a scapegoat for problems

Rome on Fire

• A series of fires a lit in Rome
• These fires were rumored to be caused by Emperor Nero
• Nero denied rumors- began man hunt for cause of fires
• Nero soon turned blame on Christians

The Death of Peter and Paul

• Peter and Paul condemned to death under Nero
• Peter: died in year 64. Hung upside down on cross.
• Paul: died in year 67. Was beheaded.

Diocletian

• Wanted to eliminate Christianity
• Demanded bishops,presbyters, and deacons be imprisoned or killed
• Both laity and clergy were tortured and persecuted

Works Cited

• Bowman, David J. The Word Made Flesh. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1963. Print.
• "Nero." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2014
• "Saint Peter and Saint Paul." Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Marypages, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014
• Knight, Kevin. "Diocletian." CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA:. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.