CHAPTER IV

THE DECREES AGAINST US

As this man, who took the lead in this matter, had thus succeeded, all the rest in office that inhabited cities under the same government (of Maximinus), proceeded to issue a similar decree; and the governors of provinces perceiving that it would be acceptable to the emperor also, suggested to their subjects to do the same thing. To these decrees the emperor himself most readily assenting, the persecution that raged at first was again kindled against us. Hence, in every city priests were appointed for the images, and high-priests over these, by Maximinus himself; these were from among those who had been most distinguished for their public life, and had gained celebrity in the different stations they had tilled; who were also fired with great zeal for those objects that they worshipped. In short, the absurd superstition of the emperor led on the rulers under him, as well as his subjects, to do all things against us in order to gratify him; supposing this was the greatest proof of gratitude they could give for the kindness they had received from him, if they only exhibited slaughter, and constantly devised new plots and modes of mischief against us.