beginning of religion itself. The Christian religion was formed in Palestine, which is a humble stretch of land on the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Jesus, a Jew, was born in a small corner of the Roman Empire. Although very little is known about his early life. He spoke before crowds of people, teaching and instructing, but he also chose twelve disciples whom he taught privately. They followed him enthusiastically, believing that he was the long-awaited Messiah who would usher in the kingdom of God on earth. Although Jesus himself was later crucified, his famous twelve Apostles carried on his teachings. Eleven of the original twelve died due to the persecution of the emperors, reiterating the tremendous antipathy for Christianity from its origins. From 30-311 AD Christians suffered years of persecution by the Roman Empire. Although the total number of Christians during the period of persecution is unknown, many modern scholars are beginning to believe that the original number is not as high as originally thought. The primitive church underwent fifty-four different emperors, from Nero to the Edict of Milan. Although only a few dozen emperors actually sought out and tortured Christians. Christians probably faced about 130 years of persecution and 120 years of peace and tolerance. Many of the imperial edicts were often against only church property, clergy, and the Scriptures, rather than against Christians themselves. The Roman Empire was concerned about the Christians. This stems from the fact that the Roman religion was more of a social movement that encouraged unity and loyalty to the state. This religious approach is what the Romans called pietas and piety. It was assumed that if piety became extinct in Roman culture, social unity and justice would also disappear with it. A philosopher Porphyry wrote: “How can those who have apostatized from the cult of our ancestors through which every nation and city sustains itself not be in every way impious and atheistic???

Topic > beginning of religion itself. The Christian religion was formed in Palestine, which is a humble stretch of land on the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Jesus, a Jew, was born in a small corner of the Roman Empire. Although very little is known about his early life. He spoke before crowds of people, teaching and instructing, but he also chose twelve disciples whom he taught privately. They followed him enthusiastically, believing that he was the long-awaited Messiah who would usher in the kingdom of God on earth. Although Jesus himself was later crucified, his famous twelve Apostles carried on his teachings. Eleven of the original twelve died due to the persecution of the emperors, reiterating the tremendous antipathy for Christianity from its origins. From 30-311 AD Christians suffered years of persecution by the Roman Empire. Although the total number of Christians during the period of persecution is unknown, many modern scholars are beginning to believe that the original number is not as high as originally thought. The primitive church underwent fifty-four different emperors, from Nero to the Edict of Milan. Although only a few dozen emperors actually sought out and tortured Christians. Christians probably faced about 130 years of persecution and 120 years of peace and tolerance. Many of the imperial edicts were often against only church property, clergy, and the Scriptures, rather than against Christians themselves. The Roman Empire was concerned about the Christians. This stems from the fact that the Roman religion was more of a social movement that encouraged unity and loyalty to the state. This religious approach is what the Romans called pietas and piety. It was assumed that if piety became extinct in Roman culture, social unity and justice would also disappear with it. A philosopher Porphyry wrote: “How can those who have apostatized from the cult of our ancestors through which every nation and city sustains itself not be in every way impious and atheistic???