249–251

The persecution of Emperor Decius

Decius was proclaimed emperor by the army in 248 and overthrew Philip the Arab in 249. He sought to restore the empire's unity and glory through a return to the old religion.

On 3 January 250, Decius sacrificed to Jupiter himself. He then ordered the whole empire to do the same and to obtain a written certificate (libellus) of sacrifice. Refusal was punished by torture and death.

This was the first planned, empire-wide persecution. Its goal was not to create martyrs but mass apostasy. For this reason, those who held out were kept in prison and tortured for long periods.

Bishops of Rome (Fabian), Antioch (Babylas) and other cities died. Origen was tortured and soon died of his wounds. Cyprian of Carthage went into hiding and directed his flock by letters.

The persecution ended with Decius' death in battle against the Goths in 251. It left the Church with the difficult question of the fate of the "lapsed."