Trajan
Adrian dying in 138, was succeeded by Antoninus Pius, one of the most amiable monarchs that
ever reigned, and who stayed the persecutions against the Christians. It seems that legal
justification for the persecutions was that the Church was an "illicit"
association, one not entitled to the protection of the law and thereby liable to sanctions
if denounced. Trajan replying to Pliny "Do not seek them out; but if they are
denounced and are convicted, they must be put to death. Let apostates be declared
free." Tertullian - "If you condemn them, why do you not seek them out? And if
you do not seek them out, why do you absolve them?" his famous dilemma. Blood also
flowed under Hadrian (117-38) and Antonius Pius (138-61) although both sought to mitigate
the effects of the official policy.
Trajan was the Roman Emperor from 98 to 117 and started the third persecution. He lived from 106-138. Information was laid against the Christians before the younger Pliny, who was governor of Bithnia. Pliny appealed to Trajan for guidance; the answer of Trajan, to which the Christians of the succeeding age have frequently appealed. Pliny writes his emperor Trajan from Bithnia in
Asia Minor that he is puzzled about the Christians. Shall he punish a Christian just
because he admits to being a Christian, or must he have evidence of the horrid crimes that
Christians were alleged to commit? In Mount Ararat many were crucified, crowned with
thorns, and spears run through their sides, in imitation of Christ's passion. Trajan,
being succeeded by Adrian, the latter continued this third persecution with as much
severity as his predecessor.
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