Conduct of the Roman government towards the Christians, from the reign of Nero to that of Constantine–Christianity persecuted by the Roman Emperors–Inquiry into their Motives; Rebellious Spirit of the Jews–Toleration of the Jewish Religion–Jews were a People which followed, the Christians a Sect which deserted, the Religion of their Fathers; Christianity accused of Atheism, and mistaken by the People & Philosophers–Union & Assemblies of the Christians considered as a dangerous Conspiracy–Their Manners calumniated–Their imprudent Defence; Idea of the Conduct of the Emperors towards the Christians–They neglected the Christians as a Sect of Jews; Fire of Rome under Nero–Punishment of the Christians as the Incendiaries of the City; Remarks on the Passage of Tacitus relative to the Persecution of the Christians by Nero; Oppression of the Jews and Christians by Domitian–Execution of Clemens the Consul–Ignorance of Pliny concerning the Christians; Trajan and his Successors establish a legal Mode of proceeding against them – Popular Clamours–Trials of the Christians; Humanity of the Roman Magistrates–Inconsiderable Number of Martyrs– Example of Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, His Danger & Flight
| AD | Event |
| 257 | His Banishment, Condemnation & Martyrdom; Various Incitements to Martyrdom; Ardour of the first Christians– Gradual Relaxation; 3 Methods of escaping Martyrdom; Alternatives of Severity and Toleration; Ten Persecutions; Supposed Edicts of Tiberius and Marcus Antoninus |
|---|---|
| 180 | State of the Christians in the Reigns of Commodus and Severus |
| 211–49 | Of the Successors of Severus |
| 244 | Of Maximin, Philip, and Decius |
| 252–60 | Of Valerian, Gallienus, and his Successors |
| 260 | Paul of Samosata, his Manners |
| 270 | He is degraded from the See of Antioch |
| 274 | The Sentence is executed by Aurelian |
| 284 – 303 | Peace & Prosperity of the Church under Diocletian; Progress of Zeal and Superstition among the Pagans; Maximian & Galerius punish a few Christian soldiers; Galerius prevails on Diocletian to begin a Persecution |
| 303 | Demolition of the Church of Nicomedia; 1st Edict against the Christians; Zeal and Punishment of a Christian; Fire of the Palace of Nicomedia imputed to the Christians; Execution of the 1st Edict; Demolition of the Churches; Subsequent Edicts |
| 303 – 311 | General Idea of the Persecution; In the Western Provinces, under Constantius and Constantine; In Italy and Africa, under Maximian and Severus; Under Maxentius; In Illyricum and the East, under Galerius & Maximian |
| 311 | Galerius publishes an Edict of Toleration; Peace of the Church; Maximin prepares to renew the Persecution |
| 313 | End of the Persecutions; Probable Sufferings of the Martyrs & Confessors; Number of Martyrs; Conclusion |