Christianity in the period of Diocletianus

Diocletian, a defining figure of the Late Roman Empire, not only restructured the imperial administrative apparatus but also enacted far-reaching decisions that significantly altered the role and status of religion within the empire. This thesis aims to evaluate the policies directed at the Christian faith during Diocletian's reign, situating them within their broader sociopolitical context. Focusing especially on the period beginning in AD 303 commonly referred to in historical literature as the "Great Persecution" the study examines how the boundaries of religious tolerance in the Roman world contracted and how Christian communities were subjected to systematic oppression. The period under investigation marks a critical juncture where the tension between traditional pagan belief systems and the rising monotheistic religions became increasingly evident. In this framework, the thesis explores why Christianity was perceived as a threat, identifies the ways in which it conflicted with the imperial vision of religious unity, and analyzes the state's political responses to this perceived challenge. Measures such as the exclusion of Christians from public office, the destruction of worship spaces, the burning of sacred texts, and the imprisonment of religious leaders are interpreted not merely as acts of persecution but as manifestations of a broader effort to preserve Roman state ideology. This study is grounded in primary sources, including both written documents and archaeological evidence. Key sources consist of eyewitness accounts by Christian authors such as Lactantius and Eusebius, texts from pagan writers like Porphyry, imperial edicts, official inscriptions, and surviving archaeological remains. These materials are used to reconstruct the chronological sequence of events and to analyze the practical implementation of imperial policies. Furthermore, interpretations by modern historians and contributions from contemporary academic discourse provide critical perspectives that deepen the analysis. Ultimately, this thesis interprets Diocletian's anti-Christian policies not as isolated acts of religious repression but as components of a broader imperial strategy. This approach highlights how the emperor's reforms were part of a more extensive ideological reconfiguration of the empire. By evaluating the enduring impact of Diocletian's decisions on both his contemporaries and subsequent generations, the study seeks to offer a comprehensive contribution to understanding the complex relationship between religion and power in the Late Roman world.