|
32 – 66
|
Apostle Paul
|
- Pharisee, studied under Gamaliel
- Roman Citizen
- Spoke and wrote in Koine Greek
- Influenced by Greek Culture and Philosophy
|
|
69 – 155
|
Polycarp
|
- Disciple of the Apostle John
- Bishop of Smyrna
- Martyred because he refused to burn incense to worship the emperor
|
|
98 – 117
|
Trajan
|
- Emperor of Rome
- Apex of Roman territorial power
- Allowed ene of his Governors, Pliny, to begin persecuting Christians
- Christians who refused to recant were executed for "obstinacy" if they were non-citizens
|
|
203
|
Saints Perpetua and Felicity
|
- Perpetua was a married noblewoman in Carthage who converted to Christianity
- Felicity was her slave
- They were arrested with others; Perpetua was asked many times to recant, but she refused
- Perpetua and Felicity were executed in the arena with others
- Perpetua kept a diary
|
|
250
|
Desius
|
- Roman Emperor
- Empire was in chaos at the time, threatened on its borders
- Desius concluded the Christians had angered the gods
- Declared that everyone was required to sacrifice to the gods and received a certificate
|
|
256
|
Valerian
|
- Roman Emperor
- Issued edict that all Bishops be put to death
|
|
303
|
Diocletian
|
- Roman Emperor
- Effective in restoring order to the empire
- Initiated brutal persecution of Christians
|
