The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon — In The West

Scope Of Chapter XVI
Conduct of the Roman government towards the Christians, from the reign of Nero to that of Constantine — Christianity persecuted by the Roman Emperors — Inquiry into their Motives Rebellious Spirit of the Jews — Toleration of the Jewish Religion — The Jews were a People which followed, the Christians a Sect which deserted, the Religion of their Fathers Christianity accused of Atheism, and mistaken by the People and Philosophers — The Union and Assemblies of the Christians considered as a dangerous Conspiracy—   Their Manners calumniated — Their imprudent Defence Idea of the Conduct of the Emperors towards the Christians — They neglected the Christians as a Sect of Jews The Fire of Rome under the Reign of Nero — Cruel Punishment of the Christians as the Incendiaries of the City Remarks on the Passage of Tacitus relative to the Persecution of the Christians by Nero Oppression of the Jews and Christians by Domitian — Execution of Clemens the Consul — Ignorance of Pliny concerning the Christians Trajan and his Successors establish a legal Mode of proceeding against them — Popular Clamours — Trials of the Christians Humanity of the Roman Magistrates — Inconsiderable Number of Martyrs — Example of Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage,   His Danger and Flight
AD Event 257 His Banishment— His Condemnation— His Martyrdom Various Incitements to Martyrdom Ardour of the first Christians— Gradual Relaxation Three Methods of escaping Martyrdom Alternatives of Severity and Toleration The Ten Persecutions Supposed Edicts of Tiberius and Marcus Antoninus 180 State of the Christians in the Reigns of Commodus and Severus 211-249 Of the Successors of Severus 244 Of Maximin, Philip, and Decius 252-260 Of Valerian, Gallienus, and his Successors 260 Paul of Samosata, his Manners 270 He is degraded from the See of Antioch 274 The Sentence is executed by Aurelian 284-303 Peace and Prosperity of the Church under Diocletian Progress of Zeal and Superstition among the Pagans Maximian and Galerius punish a few Christian soldiers Galerius prevails on Diocletian to begin a general Persecution	AD Event 303 Demolition of the Church of Nicomedia The first Edict against the Christians Zeal and Punishment of a Christian Fire of the Palace of Nicomedia imputed to the Christians Execution of the first Edict Demolition of the Churches Subsequent Edicts 303-311 General Idea of the Persecution In the Western Provinces, under Constantius and Constantine In Italy and Africa, under Maximian and Severus Under Maxentius In Illyricum and the East, under Galerius and Maximian 311 Galerius publishes an Edict of Toleration Peace of the Church Maximin prepares to renew the Persecution 313 End of the Persecutions Probable Account of the Sufferings of the Martyrs and Confessors Number of Martyrs Conclusion

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