His initial accession in 284 didn't leave an immediate change
to Christianity but it caused a gradual change. Diocletian purged the army of
Christians and surrounded himself with public opponents of Christianity.
First edict:
February 23, 303, Diocletian ordered that the newly built Christian church at
Nicomedia be razed, scriptures burned, and treasures seized. The edict ordered the destruction of Christian scriptures, liturgical books, places of worship
across the empire, and prohibit Christians from worshiping. Christians were not
allowed to go to court about any of these things happening. Christian senators, equestrians, decurions, veterans,
and soldiers had the positions taken away and imperial freedmen were re-slaved.
He requested that no blood would be shed.
Second edict:
summer of 303- ordered the arrest and imprisonment of all bishops and priests.
There was no logical necessity of this second edict. Diocletian said he did it
because the first edict was not working as quickly as wanted. Prisons began to
fill.
Third edict:
November 20, 303- any imprisoned clergy man could now be freed as long as he agrees
to make a sacrifice to the gods. Some people were more willing than others to
make a sacrifice sine it was considered unacceptable.
Fourth edict: 304- all persons (men, women, and
children) to gather in a public space and offer a collective sacrifice. If you refused,
you were executed. This edict was not enforced at all of the domains of
Maximian and Constantius.
Constantine, son of Constanitius, was against the
persecution of the Christians. Constantine became Christian before a war when looked in the sky and he saw the words "Conquer by this" on a sun with a cross above the sun. On July 25, 306, he succeeded his father. He
immediately ended all ongoing persecution and returned property that had been stolen.
Constantine was seen as a possible liberator of oppressed Christians
everywhere. First Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity, over the ago of 40.
He issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed tolerance of all
religions throughout the empire, got all of your possessions and land back without charge, and rebuilt churches. Throughout his rule, he supported the Church
financially, built basilicas, granted privileges to clergy, and promoted
Christians to high office. Made a law so that Jews could not have Christian
slaves.
an edict is an official law proclaimed by the highest authority
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