Christian History Magazine—Issue 27: Persecution in the Early Church

While the Roman Empire swirled with an exotic mix of religions, Christianity flourished outside the confines of the imperial pantheon. This peripheral existence brought down on Christians a rain of accusations which led to several brutal eras of persecution. New converts expected suffering and martyrdom. Screams from coliseums and arenas permeated the Roman air as believers were slaughtered for their devotion. This issue of Christian History & Biography chronicles the tribulations of these brave men and women to whom we owe the preservation and expansion of Christian faith.