CHAPTER VIII

LAWS ENACTED AGAINST THE CHRISTIANS

MANY other crimes were perpetrated about this time by the irreligious against the pious, both at sea and on land; for the ungodly emperor had enacted laws against religion. The first of these laws prohibited the children of Galileans, for this was the name he gave to Christians, from being instructed in poetry, rhetoric, or philosophy. “For we,” said he, “are, according to the old proverb, smitten by our own wings; for our authors furnish weapons to carry on war against us.” It was enjoined by the other law, that the Galileans should be expelled from the army.