Persecution of “The Way”

  • Period: 60 to 68

    Nero

  • 64

    Great Fire of Rome; Nero launches persecutions of Christians

  • Period: 69 to 79

    Vespasian

  • 70

    Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus

  • 81

    Persecution under Domitian 81-96

  • Period: 81 to 96

    Domitian

  • 88

    St. Clement l is Pope; restored the Sacrament of Confirmation according to the rite of St. Peter; martyred in 97

  • Period: 98 to 117

    Trajan

  • 110

    St. Ignatius of Antioch martyred

  • 112

    Trajan’s Rescript in response to Pliny

  • 115

    St. Sixtus l is Pope; died in 125

  • Period: 117 to 138

    Hadrian

  • 123

    Hadrian’s Rescript

  • 125

    St. Telesphorus is Pope; martyred in 136; He composed the Gloria in Excelsis Deo

  • Period: 138 to 161

    Antoninus Pius

  • 150

    St. Justin Martyr dedicates his First Apology

  • 155

    St. Polycarp martyred

  • 161

    St. Justin Martyr dedicates his Second Apology

  • Period: 161 to 180

    Marcus Aurelius

  • 180

    St. Irenaeus writes Against Heresies

  • 196

    Tertullian begins writing

  • Period: 196 to 211

    Sept. Severus

  • 203

    Sts. Perpetua and Felicity are martyred in the arena at Carthage

  • 215

    Origen (ca. 185-254) begins writing

  • 250

    Edict of Decius

  • 257

    Valerian

  • Period: 285 to 305

    Diocletian