In the early fourth century the emperors of the Tetrarchy initiated what later Christians would call the “Great Persecution.” Under Diocletian and his colleagues, churches were demolished, sacred texts seized, and believers forced to choose between sacrificing to the Roman gods or facing punishment by the state.

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Episode CCLIV (254)

Part VI of Diocletian

Guest: Professor Caillan Davenport (Centre for Classical Studies, Australian National University)