CLAS / PHIL 2610. Paganism to Christianity

Lecture 18. Persecution and Martyrdom

I. “Martyr” (Witness)

A. Pagan and Jewish Precedents

Socrates (d. 399): drinks hemlock for beliefs

Rabbi Eleazer: II Maccabees 6-7

B. Christian Models

Sacrifice of Jesus

Stephen “Protomartyr” (Acts 7)

II. History of Persecution

A. 10 persecutions = 10 plagues

B. Nero (64): great fire; one year in Rome only

C. Marcus Aurelius (c. 170): not systematic or widespread

Lyon (177)

D. Septimius Severus (c. 200)

Perpetua

E. Decius (250): libelli prove sacrifice; first systematic persecution

F. Valerian (257)

G. Diocletian (301-303...311) “The Great Persecution”; part of larger project of imperial reorganization 4 laws; Galerius “Edict of Toerlation” = 311

III. Themes

A. Systematic? Changes over time in scale and frequency; Why? impiety of Xians

B. Civic Phenomenon: Urban Affair; Forum (Agora) and Amphitheater; Spectacle

C. Spectacle: Athletic Glory

IV. Effects

A. Unifying factor

Martyr Acts read in Church (Augustine on Perpetua)

Excite Zeal

B. Dissent

Novatianism (Rome, 250): “Confessors”

Donatism (North Africa, 303): “Traditores” (betrayers / handers over)