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.
Second persecution, under Domitian, AD. 95-96. Assassinated by court officials.
Third persecution, under Trajan, AD. 106-117.
Fourth persecution, under Marcus Aurelius, AD. 161-180.
Fifth persecution, under Septimius Severus, AD. 202-211.
Sixth persecution, under Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus, AD.235-238.
Seventh persecution, under Decius, AD. 249-251.
Eighth persecution, under Valerian, AD. 257-260.
Ninth persecution, under Aurelian, AD. 274-275.
Tenth persecution, under Diocletian, AD. 303-305.
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