A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

20 A Source Book for Ancient Church HistoryWhat is commonly called the persecution under Domitian (81-96) does not seem to have been a persecution of Christianity assuch. The charges of atheism and superstition may have been dueto heathen misunderstanding of the Christian faith and worship.There is no sufficient ground for identifying Flavius Clemenswith the Clemens who was bishop of Rome. For bibliography ofthe persecution under Domitian, see Preuschen, Analecta, seconded., I, 11.(a) Cassius Dio (excerpt. per Xiphilinum), Hist. Rom., LXVII,14 f. Preuschen, Analecta, I, § 4:11.For Cassius Dio, see Encyc. Brit., art. “Dio Cassius.”At that time (95) the road which leads from Sinuessa to Puteoliwas paved. And in the same year Domitian caused FlaviusClemens along with many others to be put to death, although hewas his cousin and had for his wife Flavia Domitilla, who wasalso related to him. The charge of atheism was made againstboth of them, in consequence of which many others also who hadadopted the customs of the Jews were condemned. Some wereput to death, others lost their property. Domitilla, however, wasonly banished to Pandataria.(b) Eusebius, Hist. Ec., III, 18. (MSG, 20:252.)[012]To such a degree did the teaching of our faith flourish at thattime 2 that even those writers who were far from our religiondid not hesitate to mention in their histories the persecutionsand martyrdoms which took place during that time. And they,indeed, accurately indicate the time. For they record that, in thefifteenth year of Domitian, Flavia Domitilla, daughter of a sisterof Flavius Clemens, who was at that time one of the consuls of2 Reign of Domitian, 81-96.