Christian Martyrs

weren't condemned for being Christian, but for refusing to sacrifice to the Emperor, they were convicted for breaking Roman law.

A common sentence of damnatio ad beastias ("thrown to the lions"). Sometimes were dressed up as pagan religious officials, and were thrown to the animals during afternoon break.

Persecutions weren't common; supposedly rare. Mostly in the Provinces, esp. Alexandria and Roman Africa.

Primarily came to an end after Constantine's Edict of Milan (Edict of Toleration).

Christians weren't afraid, and used these as their confessions of their God; used as opportunity for their God. Performance of the rejection of Roman communal values.