Domitian and Christian Persecution
Early Christian writers remembered Domitian as a cruel ruler linked with persecution. Irenaeus dates Revelation to the end of Domitian’s reign, and Tertullian and Lactantius describe Domitian as a persecutor. The same writings also say persecution was a normal test for Christians, not a surprise. This page groups the main early witnesses and the key Bible passages that speak about suffering for Christ.
97 early-church witnesses · 171 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about domitian and Christian Persecution?
Early Christian writers do describe Domitian as a persecutor, but their reports are brief and not all equally direct. Irenaeus places the Revelation vision near the end of Domitian’s reign, while Tertullian and Lactantius call Domitian cruel and link him with persecution. The clearest Christian witness in this set is that believers expected persecution as part of normal Christian life, as seen in Ignatius, Tertullian, and Cyprian.
The evidence is strong that early Christians remembered Domitian as hostile, but thinner on exactly how broad or long-lasting that persecution was. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Irenaeus links the vision of Revelation to the end of Domitian’s reign.
- Tertullian and Lactantius call Domitian cruel and hostile toward Christians.
- Early Christian teaching treats persecution as a normal part of faithful Christian life.
- The evidence is clear that Domitian was remembered as a persecutor, but details are limited.
Questions Answered by the Sources
How did early Christians describe Domitian?
These sources describe Domitian as hostile to Christians, using language such as persecutor and tyrant. They do not give a full biography, but they consistently preserve a negative memory of his rule in connection with Christian suffering.
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Tertullian, Apology Direct teaching
Domitian, too, a man of Nero's type in cruelty, tried his hand at persecution;
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Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died Direct teaching
Some years after Nero died, another tyrant arose who was no less wicked: Domitian. Although his rule was extremely hateful, he oppressed his people for a very long time and ruled securely, until at last he stretched out his ungodly hands against the Lord. After evil demons stirred him up to persecute the righteous people, he was then handed over to the power of his enemies and suffered the punishment he deserved. Being murdered in his own palace was not enough revenge. Even the memory of his name was erased. For although he had built many remarkable buildings, rebuilt the Capitol, and left other notable signs of his greatness, the senate attacked his name so severely that it left no trace of his statues or of the inscriptions set up in his honor. And by the most solemn and severe decrees, it marked him, even after death, with lasting disgrace. So, after the tyrant's orders were canceled, the Church was not only restored to its former condition, but it shone with even greater splendor and became more and more prosperous. And in the times that followed, while many worthy emperors guided the Roman Empire, the Church suffered no violent attacks from its enemies, and it reached out its
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Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died Supporting witness
After an interval of some years from the death of Nero, there arose another tyrant no less wicked (Domitian), who, although his government was exceedingly odious, for a very long time oppressed his subjects, and reigned in security, until at length he stretched forth his impious hands against the Lord.
More related quotations from this section 1 shown
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Ignatius, The Martyrdom of Ignatius Supporting witness
For Trajan, in the ninth year of his reign, being lifted up [with pride], after the victory he had gained over the Scythians and Dacians, and many other nations, and thinking that the religious body of the Christians were yet wanting to complete the subjugation of all things to himself, and [thereupon] threatening them with persecution unless they should agree to worship dæmons, as did all other nations, thus compelled all who were living godly lives either to sacrifice [to idols] or die.
Did early Christians remember persecution under Domitian?
Ignatius’ martyrdom account says the Church had survived storms of persecution under Domitian, and Irenaeus places the apocalyptic vision near the end of Domitian’s reign. These witnesses show that Domitian-era pressure was part of early Christian historical memory.
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Ignatius, The Martyrdom of Ignatius Direct teaching
...igently led the Church of the Antiochians. He had narrowly survived the previous storms of numerous persecutions under Domitian. Like a skilled pilot, through prayer, fasting, earnest teaching, and constant spiritual labor, he resisted the challenges he faced, only fearing that he might lose those who were lacking in courage or were vulnerable due to their simplicity. Therefore, he rejoiced over the peaceful state of the Church when the persecution paused for a short time, but he felt personally troubled that he had not yet achieved a true love for Christ or reached the perfect status of a disciple. He reflected internally that the confession made through martyrdom would bring him into a closer relationship with the Lord. Thus, after spending a few more years with the Church and enlightening everyone's understanding with his interpretations of the Holy Scriptures like a divine lamp, he ultimately achieved the goal of his desire.
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Ignatius, The Martyrdom of Ignatius Supporting witness
Wherefore he rejoiced over the tranquil state of the Church, when the persecution ceased for a little time, but was grieved as to himself, that he had not yet attained to a true love to Christ, nor reached the perfect rank of a disciple.
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Tertullian, Scorpiace Direct teaching
...hild; and children will rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death," He has clearly announced, with reference to the others, this kind of unrighteous conduct, which we do not find shown in the case of the apostles. For none of them experienced a father or a brother as a betrayer, which very many of us have. Then He returns to the apostles: "And you will be hated by all men for my name's sake." How much more will this be true of us, for whom there is the necessity of being handed over even by parents. Thus, by assigning this very betrayal now to the apostles, now to all, He pours out the same destruction on all the possessors of the name, on whom the name will rest together with the condition that it is an object of hatred. "But he who will endure to the end, this man will be saved." By enduring what, if not persecution, betrayal, and death? For to endure to the end is nothing else than to suffer the end. And therefore there immediately follow the words, "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his own lord." Because, since the Master and Lord Himself stood firm in suffering persecution, betrayal, and death, much more it will be the duty
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Tertullian, De Fuga in Persecutione Direct teaching
2. If, because injustice is not from God, but from the devil, and persecution consists of injustice—for what is more unjust than that the bishops of the true God, and all the followers of the truth, should be treated in the manner of the vilest criminals?—persecution therefore seems to proceed from the devil, by whom the injustice that makes up persecution is carried out, we ought to know this: just as you do not have persecution without the devil's injustice, so you do not have the trial of faith without persecution. The injustice necessary for the trial of faith does not give a warrant for persecution, but supplies an agency. In reality, in reference to the trial of faith, which is the reason for persecution, the will of God goes first. But as the instrument of persecution, which is the way of trial, the injustice of the devil follows. For in other respects too, injustice, in proportion to the enmity it shows against righteousness, gives occasion for attestations of that to which it is opposed as an enemy, so that righteousness may be perfected in injustice, as strength is perfected in weakness. For the weak things of the world have been chosen by God to confound the strong, and
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Tertullian, De Fuga in Persecutione Supporting witness
...erly belongs to God alone. This is that fan which even now cleanses the Lord's threshing floor, the Church, I mean, winnowing the mixed heap of believers and separating the grain of the martyrs from the chaff of the deniers. And this is also the ladder Jacob dreams of, on which some are seen mounting up to higher places, and others going down to lower. So too, persecution may be viewed as a contest. By whom is the conflict proclaimed but by Him by whom the crown and the rewards are offered? You find in Revelation its edict, setting forth the rewards by which He incites to victory, above all those whose distinction it is to conquer in persecution, in very deed contending in their victorious struggle not against flesh and blood, but against spirits of wickedness. So too, you will see that the adjudging of the contest belongs to that same glorious One, as umpire, who calls us to the prize. The one great thing in persecution is the promotion of the glory of God, as He tries and casts away, lays on and takes off. But what concerns the glory of God will surely come to pass by His will. And when is trust in God stronger than when there is a greater fear of Him, and when persecution bre
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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness
...uggles and hardships took place in these regions, both generally among everyone and privately among Christians. There were also many frequent earthquakes, so that many places throughout Cappadocia and Pontus were destroyed. Even some cities, pulled down into the abyss, were swallowed up when the earth opened wide. Because of this, a severe persecution also arose against us because of the Christian name. And after the long peace of the former age, it came suddenly, and by its unusual evils it was made more terrible because of the disorder among our people. Serenianus was then governor in our province, a bitter and terrible persecutor. But when the faithful were put into this troubled condition, and were fleeing here and there out of fear of the persecution, leaving their country and crossing into other regions—for there was a chance to cross over, because that persecution was not over the whole world, but local—there suddenly arose among us a certain woman who, in a state of ecstasy, declared that she was a prophetess and acted as if she were filled with the Holy Spirit. And she was so driven by the force of the chief demons that for a long time she troubled and deceived the brot
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Cyprian, Life and Passion of Cyprian Supporting witness
The unusual and violent rage of a cruel persecution had laid waste God's people;
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2 Timothy 3:12 Supporting witness
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
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2 Thessalonians 1:4 Supporting witness
Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
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Luke 21:12 Supporting witness
But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
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Mark 13:9 Supporting witness
“But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them.
More related quotations from this section 5 shown
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Anonymous, Treatise Against the Heretic Novatian Supporting witness
... us a twofold trial of persecution: the first, in which those who lapsed fell as the conquered; the second, in which those who had fallen came out as conquerors. For none of us, beloved brothers, doubts or is uncertain that those who in the first struggle, that is, in the Decian persecution, were wounded, afterward, that is, in the second encounter, persevered so bravely that they scorned the edicts of the rulers of this world and kept themselves unconquered. In this, following the example of the good Shepherd, they did not fear to give up their life, to shed their blood, or to draw back from any cruelty of the raging tyrant.
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Dionysius of Alexandria, Epistles and Epistolary Fragments Supporting witness
I. The persecution with us did not commence with the imperial edict, but preceded it by a whole year.
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Irenaeus, Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenæus Supporting witness
This indicates the persecution against the Church set on foot by the nations who still continue in unbelief.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
...n they persecute you in this city, flee to another," Matthew 10:23, He is not advising flight as if persecution were an evil thing. Nor is He commanding them to escape death by fleeing, as if they were afraid of it. Instead, He wants us neither to cause evil nor to support it against anyone, whether against ourselves or against the persecutor and murderer. In a sense, He tells us to take care of ourselves. But the person who disobeys is reckless and foolish. If the one who kills a man of God sins against God, then the one who presents himself before the judgment seat also becomes guilty of his own death. The same is true of the person who does not avoid persecution, but boldly offers himself to be captured. As far as he is able, such a person becomes an accomplice in the persecutor's crime. And if he also uses provocation, he is completely guilty, as one who challenges a wild beast. In the same way, if he gives any cause for conflict or punishment or revenge or hostility, he gives an occasion for persecution. Therefore, we are commanded not to hold tightly to anything that belongs to this life. Instead, to the one who takes our cloak, we are to give our coat also. This is not on
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Clement of Alexandria, Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved? Supporting witness
There is a persecution which arises from without, from men assailing the faithful, either out of hatred, or envy, or avarice, or through diabolic agency.
How did early Christians understand persecution in general?
Several early Christian writers treat persecution as a normal part of Christian experience and a test of faith. The Bible passages reinforce the same theme by saying believers may suffer persecution, be brought before rulers, and endure tribulation.
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching
...he risk of stating positively the name of Antichrist; for if it were necessary for his name to be clearly revealed now, it would have been disclosed by the one who saw the apocalyptic vision. For that was seen not very long ago, but almost in our day, toward the end of Domitian's reign.
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Revelation 1:9 Direct teaching
I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
Common Questions
Did early Christians think Domitian persecuted them?
Yes. Irenaeus places Revelation near the end of Domitian’s reign, and Tertullian and Lactantius both describe Domitian as a persecutor.
Did early Christians expect persecution as normal?
Yes. Writers like Ignatius, Tertullian, and Cyprian say persecution is part of Christian life and can test faith.
Is there a Bible passage tied to Domitian’s reign?
Revelation 1:9 is often linked with that period because John says he was on Patmos for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
Source Index for Domitian and Christian Persecution
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 154 ranked source links from 171 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 154 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 97
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
Bible Passages 74 included
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.