(1.) The persecution under Nero, A.D. G4, when that emperor, having set fire to the city of Rome, threw the odium of that execrable action on the Christians. First, those were apprehended who openly avowed themselves to be of that sect; then by them were discovered an immense multitude, all of whom were convicted. Their death and tortures were aggravated by cruel derision and sport; for they were either covered with the skins of Avild beasts, and torn in pieces by devouring dogs, or fastened to crosses, and wrapped up in combustible gar- ments, that, when the daylight failed, they might, like torches, serve to dispel the darkness of the night. For this tragical spectacle Nero lent his own gardens, and exhibited at the same time the public diversions of the circus ; sometimes driving a chariot in person, and some- times standing as a spectator', while the shrieks of wom- en, burning to ashes, supplied music for his ears. See Nekosian Persecutions.
(2.) The second general persecution was under Do- mitian. From the death of Nero to the reign of Domi- tian the Christians remained unmolested and daily in- creasing ; but towards the close of the 1st century they were again involved in all the horrors of persecution. In this persecution many eminent Christians suffered ; but the death of Doniilian soon delivered them from this calamity. In the j'ear 95 40,000 were supposed to have suffered martyrdom.
(3.) The third began in the third year of Trajan, in the year 100. Many things contributed towards it : as the laws of the empire, the emperor's zeal for his relig- ion and aversion to Christianity, and the prejudices of the pagans, supported by falsehoods and calumnies against the Christians. Under the plausible pretence of their holding illegal meetings and societies, they were severely persecuted by the governors and other officers; in which persecution great numbers fell by the rage of popular tumult, as well as b}' laws and processes. This persecution continued several years, with different degrees of severity, in many parts of the empire, and was so much the more atHicting because the Christians generally suffered under the notion of malefactors and
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traitors, and under an emperor famed for bis singular justice and moderation. The most noted martyr in this persecution was Ignatius of Antioch, although some name also Clement, bishop of Kome. After some time the fury of this persecution was abated, but did not cease during the whole reign of Trajan. In the eighth year of his successor, Adrian, it broke out with new rage. This is by some called the fourth general persecution, but is more commonly considered as a revival or con- tinuance of the third.
(4.) This persecution took place under Antoninus the philosopher; and at ditferent places, with several inter- missions and different degrees of severity, it continued the greater part of his reign. Antoninus himself has been much excused as to this persecution. As the char- acter of the virtuous Trajan, however, is sullied by the martyrdom of Ignatius, so the reign of the philosophic Marcus is forever disgraced by the sacrifice of the ven- erable Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, the friend and com- panion of St. John. A few days previous to his death, he is said to have dreamed that his pillow was on fire. When urged by the proconsul to renounce Christ, he replied, "P'ourscore and six years have I served him, and he has never done me an injury: can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?" Several miracles are re- ported to have happened at his death. The flames, as if unwilling to injure his sacred person, are said to have arched over his head ; and it is added that at length, being despatched with a sword, a dove flew out of the wound, and that from the pile proceeded a most fra- grant smell. It is obvious that the arching of the flames might be an accidental effect, which the enthusiastic veneration of his disciples might convert into a miracle ; and as to the story of the dove, etc., Eusebius himself apparently did not credit it, since he has omitted it in his narrative of the transaction. Among man)' other victims of persecution in this philosophic reign we must also record that of the excellent and learned Justin. But it was at Lyons and Vienne, in Gaul, that the most shocking scenes were acted. Among many nameless sufferers, history has preserved from oblivion Pothinus, the respectable bishop of Lyons, who was then more than ninety years of age ; Sanctus, a deacon of Vienne ; Attains, a native of Pergamus; Maturus, and Alexan- der; some of whom were devoured by wild beasts, and some of them tortured in an iron chair made red hot. Some females also, and particularly Biblias and Blan- dina, reflected honor both upon their sex and religion by their constancy and courage.
(5.) A considerable part of the reign of Severus proved so far favorable to the Christians that no ad- ditions were made to the severe edicts already in force against them. For this lenity thej' were probably in- debted to Proculus, a Christian, who, in a very ex- traordinary manner, cured the emperor of a dangerous distemper by the application of oil. But this degree of peace, precarious as it was, and frequently inter- rupted by the partial execution of severe laws, was terminated by an edict, A.D. 107, which prohibited every sul)ject of the empire, under severe penalties, from embracing the .Jewish or Christian fiiith. This law appears, upon a first view, designed merely to im- pode the further progress of Christianity ; but it in- cited the magistracy to enforce the laws of former em- perors, which were still existing, against the Chris- tians ; and during seven years the}' were exposed to a rigorous persecution in Palestine, Egypt, the rest of Africa, Italy, Gaul, and other parts. In this perse- cution Leonidas, the father of Origen, and Irenaaus, bishop of Lyons, sulfered martyrdom. On this occa- sion Tertullian composed his "Apology." The vio- lence of pagan intolerance was most severely felt in Egyi)t, and particularly at Alexandria.