During the first three centuries after Christ, it rarely happened that the Church was free from persecution, but when we speak of the ten General Persecutions, we mean those periods during which the laws against the Christians were more severe, and when greater numbers suffered for the Faith.
First Persecution, under Nero, AD.64-68. Nero committed suicide by driving a dagger into his throat.
Second persecution, under Domitian, AD. 95-96. Assassinated by court officials.
Third persecution, under Trajan, AD. 106-117. Trajan’s cause of death is believed to have been heart failure.
Fourth persecution, under Marcus Aurelius, AD. 161-180. Marcus Aurelius died after a long-lasting illness, – he had for some years complained of stomach and chest pains.
Fifth persecution, under Septimius Severus, AD. 202-211. Septimius Severus died a natural death from “a most grievous disease.”
Sixth persecution, under Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus, AD.235-238. Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus,was assassinated along with his son and his chief ministers by the Praetorian guards. Their heads were cut off, placed on poles, and carried to Rome by cavalrymen.
Seventh persecution, under Decius, AD. 249-251. Decius ended miserably in a swamp, during a battle with the Goths.
Eighth persecution, under Valerian, AD. 257-260. Valerian was killed by being flayed alive and then his body was skinned and his skin stuffed with straw and preserved as a trophy in the main Persian temple.
Ninth persecution, under Aurelian, AD. 274-275. Aurelian was murdered by officers of the Praetorian Guard.
Tenth persecution, under Diocletian, AD. 303-305. Deep in despair and illness, Diocletian may have committed suicide.