91–96 AD

The persecution under Domitian and the writing of Revelation

Domitian demanded to be called "lord and god" and sought to restore Roman traditions. He required Jews to pay the Temple tax into the imperial treasury. The authorities did not distinguish Jews from Christians. So persecution, on charges of "atheism", fell on all who followed "Jewish rites".

Persecutions are reliably attested in Rome and in Asia Minor. Asia Minor long remembered this time as a severe trial. In Rome the emperor's cousin Flavius Clemens was executed in 95 AD, and his wife Flavia Domitilla was exiled. This is evidence that Christianity had already penetrated the ruling dynasty itself.

The apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos. There he wrote Revelation, with its harsh image of Rome as the "harlot". The persecution ended in 96 AD, when Domitian was killed by conspirators. The senate consigned his name to oblivion.