Religious persecution in the Roman Empire

As the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire grew, they included many different cultures and religions. The Romans were usually tolerant of many religions and religious practices. They allowed people to worship many different gods and goddesses. However, some religions were banned if they involved harmful practices like human sacrifice, or if they were seen as a political threat.

Later, when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, leaders believed it was their duty to protect and support this one belief. They thought anyone who did not follow Christian teachings was a danger to the faith. This led to difficulties for people who still followed older beliefs or other religions. The story of how different beliefs were treated shows us how important it is to respect others, even when they see the world differently.

Under Roman Paganism

Religious tolerance and intolerance

The Roman Empire usually allowed different religions as long as they followed Roman ideas about proper worship and their gods could be linked to Roman gods. However, the Romans sometimes punished religions that did not fit these ideas.

In the early 3rd century, a Roman leader named Cassius Dio explained the Roman approach to religious tolerance. He said that Romans should worship their gods in traditional ways and force others to do the same. He believed that those who introduced new and strange religious practices should be punished because these could lead to revolts and trouble.

The Bacchanals

In 186 BC, the Roman senate made a rule to greatly limit the Bacchanals, excited celebrations in honor of the god Dionysus. A Roman writer named Livy said that these celebrations included many bad actions. The senate felt these actions were harmful and could cause big problems for Rome.

Druids

Druids, religious leaders from ancient Britain, were seen as very different from Romans. The Roman leader Augustus forbade Roman citizens from taking part in Druid rituals. Later leaders also worked to stop these rituals completely because they were worried about the Druids' practices.

Judaism

The Roman leader Tiberius forbade the Jewish religion in Rome at one point, and later leader Claudius even forced Jews to leave the city. There were many conflicts between Rome and the Jewish people, especially after several wars.

Manichaeism

The Roman leader Diocletian was the first to make laws against the religion called Manichaeism. He thought this religion was causing trouble and ordered its leaders and followers to be punished severely.

Christianity

According to some historians, Christianity was the only religion in ancient times that faced constant and organized persecution. Early Christians were sometimes treated harshly, especially when they were seen as a threat to the peace of Rome. Over time, attitudes changed, and in 259, an edict allowed tolerance for all religions, including Christianity.

Main article: Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire

Under Christianity

Main articles: Constantine the Great and Christianity and Persecution of pagans in the late Roman Empire

During the time of Constantine the Great, some old temples were damaged. His son, Constantius II, was very strict about stopping old religious practices. He closed many temples, stopped people from doing old religious ceremonies, and took away important symbols.

Later, from 361 to 375, there was a bit more freedom for old religions. But then three new leaders, Gratian, Valentinian II, and Theodosius I, started to stop these practices again, especially with help from a leader named Saint Ambrose. They made strong rules against old religions, removed important symbols, and stopped people from visiting old temples.