CHAPTER I

THE GREAT WICKEDNESS OF DECIUS AND GALLUS

DECIUS had scarcely reigned two years, when he, with his children, was slain. GALLUS was his successor. Origen died at this time, in the seventieth year of his age. Dionysius, in an epistle to Hermamon, makes the following remarks on Gallus: “But neither did Gallus understand the wickedness of Decius, nor did he foresee what it was That had destroyed him, but he stumbled at the same stone lying before his eyes. For when his reign was advancing prosperously, and his affairs succeeding according to his wishes, he persecuted those holy men, who interceded with God both for his peace and safety. Hence, together with them, he also persecuted the very prayers that were offered up in his behalf.” Thus much he has said respecting him.