Death was usually by torture: cruel mangling by dogs or lions, crucifixion, or beheading. Watching Christians try to defend themselves against lions at the Circus was a popular pastime. One particularly cruel emperor, Nero, used Christians as human torches for his evening festivities. In spite of all this, more and more people in the Roman Empire turned to Christianity. It spread not only through word but through deed.

The emperor Julian, frustrated by the spread of Christianity, wrote of it; “It is matters like these which have contributed most to the spread of Christianity: mercy to strangers, burying the dead, and the obvious honorableness of their conduct. They support not only their own, but also our poor.”

Think About It

What do you think that Emperor Julian means in this quote?

Do you think that this Emperor was against Christianity or he was confused because the Christians wanted to do good and help bring peace in the world.