The Decian persecution was a Roman empire-wide enforcement action in 250 AD in which emperor Decius ordered every resident to sacrifice to the Roman gods and obtain a signed, witnessed certificate from a magistrate confirming they had done so. Christians were prohibited by their faith from worshipping other gods and were forced to choose between compliance and punishment. The edict remained in force for approximately eighteen months until Decius died in June 251.
Why were Jews exempt from the Decian edict?
Jews were specifically exempted because Julius Caesar had established a policy permitting Jews to follow their traditional religious practices, a policy extended by Augustus that gave Judaism the status of religio licita, a permitted religion, throughout the empire. Roman authorities respected ancestral religious tradition, and it was well understood that Jews would not sacrifice to Roman gods.
What was a libellus in the Decian persecution?
A libellus was the written certificate issued by a Roman magistrate confirming that a person had performed the required sacrifice and poured a libation in the magistrate's presence. The certificate was signed by the magistrate and witnesses. Numerous examples of libelli survive from Egypt.
Who died during the Decian persecution?
Notable Christians who died during the Decian persecution include Pope Fabian, Babylas of Antioch, and Alexander of Jerusalem. The total number of ordinary Christians put to death for refusing to obtain a certificate is not recorded.
What happened to Christians who did not refuse the Decian edict?
Large numbers of Christians performed the required sacrifices. At Carthage, so many came forward that authorities were overwhelmed and issued a notice asking people to return the next day. Others, including Dionisius of Alexandria and Cyprianus of Carthage, went into hiding in regions including Egypt, Africa, and Anatolia.
How did the Decian persecution end and what followed it?
The Decian persecution ended when Decius died in June 251, causing his edict to lapse after approximately eighteen months. Deliberate persecution of Christians resumed in 257 AD under emperor Valerian, followed by a period of relative tolerance under Gallienus, before intensifying again in 303 AD during the Diocletianic Persecution.