Decian persecution
The year 249 marked a violent shift in Roman leadership. Decius seized the throne following military victories that toppled his predecessor. He sought to restore Rome's ancient glory by adopting the name Trajan, one of his most admired predecessors. This new emperor revived the ancient office of censor and restored the Colosseum to its former state. His goal was to revive the golden age of Rome through traditional piety. On the 3rd of January 250, he performed the annual sacrifice to Jupiter before issuing his famous decree.
A written certificate called a libellus became the physical proof of loyalty required by the empire. The edict ordered every person in the Empire, except Jews, to sacrifice and burn incense to the gods. These acts had to occur in the presence of a Roman magistrate who would sign the document. Witnesses also signed the certificate to validate the transaction. Surviving examples from Egypt show citizens declaring they sacrificed all their life and poured libations according to the decree. One priestess named Aurelia Ammonous wrote she partook of sacred victims to satisfy the authorities.
Julius Caesar formulated a policy allowing Jews to follow their traditional religious practices throughout the Empire. Augustus extended this status, giving Judaism the legal standing of a religio licita or permitted religion. Roman authorities respected tradition in religion and understood that Jews followed the beliefs of their ancestors. It was well known that Jews would not perform sacrifices to Roman gods or burn incense before an image of the Emperor. This exemption did not apply to Christians, who were viewed as a new phenomenon rather than a recognized religion.
Refusal to obtain a certificate resulted in the deaths of notable figures like Pope Fabian and Babylas of Antioch. Alexander of Jerusalem also died for refusing to comply with the imperial order. The exact number of people executed remains unknown, but large numbers performed the required sacrifices. Authorities at Carthage became overwhelmed by the volume of people seeking certificates and issued notices asking them to return the next day. Many other Christians went into hiding across Egypt, Africa, and Anatolia, including Dionisius of Alexandria and Cyprianus of Carthage.
The edict caused traumatic effects on Christian communities that had previously lived peacefully undisturbed. Many believers lapsed in their faith after the initial pressure subsided. Readmission into the community faced opposition from schismatic groups led by Novatian. By 251, efforts to enforce the edict had died down completely. Decius himself died in June 251, causing his decree to lapse after approximately eighteen months of force. The episode remained in collective memory as an act of monstrous tyranny despite its short duration.
Common questions
When did Decian persecution begin and end?
The Decian persecution began on the 3rd of January 250 when Emperor Decius issued his decree. The enforcement of the edict died down completely by 251, lasting approximately eighteen months before Decius himself died in June 251.
What was the purpose of the libellus certificate during the Roman Empire?
A written certificate called a libellus served as physical proof of loyalty required by the empire under Decius. Every person except Jews had to sacrifice and burn incense to the gods in the presence of a Roman magistrate who would sign the document.
Why were Christians targeted while Jews received an exemption from Decius?
Roman authorities granted Judaism legal standing as a religio licita or permitted religion following policies formulated by Julius Caesar and extended by Augustus. This exemption did not apply to Christians because they were viewed as a new phenomenon rather than a recognized religion with ancestral traditions.
Which notable figures died refusing to obtain a libellus certificate?
Refusal to obtain a certificate resulted in the deaths of Pope Fabian, Babylas of Antioch, and Alexander of Jerusalem. Many other Christians including Dionisius of Alexandria and Cyprianus of Carthage went into hiding across Egypt, Africa, and Anatolia instead of complying.
How long did the Decian persecution last before it lapsed?
The edict remained in force for approximately eighteen months starting from January 250 until Decius died in June 251. By 251 efforts to enforce the edict had died down completely causing his decree to lapse after its short duration.