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Quiz about The Ten Persecutions of the Early Christians

The Ten Persecutions of the Early Christians Quiz

For nearly 300 years, Roman emperors showered death upon followers of Christ. These persecutions are generally divided into ten different periods known as The Ten Persecutions.

A multiple-choice quiz by DieHard. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
DieHard

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
123,026

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
870

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of the following Roman emperors did not reign over one of the ten persecutions of early christians?

Note: Years in parenthesis refer to years spent ruling as emperor. Hint

Valerian (AD 253-260)

Domitian (AD 81-96)

Vespasian (AD 69-79)

Septimius Severus (AD 193-211)

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of the following means of persecution were commonly known to have been used against the Christians? Hint

racks, strangling, and burning at the stake

scourging, stoning, and beheading

all of these

wild beasts, hot iron chairs, and crucifixion

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Question 3 of 10

3. Nero, Emperor of Rome from AD 54-68, ruled during the first persecution. What two apostles were martyred during this persecution? Hint

Simon and James

James and John

Peter and Paul

Matthew and Peter

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Question 4 of 10

4. During the reign of Domitian (AD 81-96) this apostle was sent into exile. Name him. Hint

John

Matthew

Judas

Thomas

5. During the fourth persecution, this Bishop of Smyrna was led to the amphitheater and admonished to call Caesar Lord and to offer sacrificies. He replied, "Eighty and six years have I served him (Christ), and he never once wronged me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, who has saved me." Before a cheering stadium crowd he was burnt at the stake. Who was he? Hint

Polycarp

Attalus

Ignatius

Maturus

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Question 6 of 10

6. The sixth persecution began under Maximinus, Gaius Julius Veras Caesar(AD 235-238). It was said to have been perpetrated due to his intense hatred of the family of his predecessor, which consisted of many believers. Who was this Roman emperor that preceded Maximinus? Hint

Gallus

Philip

Alexander

Ingenes

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Question 7 of 10

7. This apostle, known mostly by his surname, preached the Gospel mainly in India and Armenia. It is believed he was martyred in Albanopolis, Armenia by these means: beaten, flayed alive, crucified, and then finally beheaded. Who was he? Hint

Judas

James, son of Alphaeus

James, son of Zebedee

Bartholomew

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Question 8 of 10

8. This emperor, who instigated the Eighth Persecution, began his rule showing extreme kindness to Christians but ended it while martyring them. Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth, relates that "none of the emperors before him had treated them so kindly and favorably". However, he was persuaded over time by the Magi of Eygpt to persecute Christians. Who was this emperor that ruled from AD 253-260? Hint

Valerian

Aurelian

Decius

Constantinius

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Question 9 of 10

9. The Tenth (and final) Persecution began during the 19th year of the co-reign of these two emperors. Galerius and Constantius served as Caesers under them. The reign of these two emperors lasted only two years after the persecution began. Which two emperors ushered in the final persecution which began in AD 303? Hint

Philip and Decius

Valerian and Gallienus

Diocletian and Maximian

Aurelian and Probus

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Question 10 of 10

10. This ruler vanquished the last of the cruel Roman emperors and showed great favor to Christians thus ending the 300 year persecution of Christians. Who was he? Hint

Gallienus

Alexander the Great

Constantine the Great

Diocletian

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of the following Roman emperors did not reign over one of the ten persecutions of early christians? Note: Years in parenthesis refer to years spent ruling as emperor.

Answer: Vespasian (AD 69-79)

Vespasian, who followed Nero and the first persecution, gave some respite to the weary Christians who had suffered severely under the brutal rule of Nero.

2. Which of the following means of persecution were commonly known to have been used against the Christians?

Answer: all of these

All of these methods have been documented as means used by the emperors to punish Christians for refusing to sacrifice to the Roman gods and for refusing to denounce Christ and proclaim Caesar as Lord.

3. Nero, Emperor of Rome from AD 54-68, ruled during the first persecution. What two apostles were martyred during this persecution?

Answer: Peter and Paul

Nero was particulary brutal; so much so that Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea, wrote that "a man might then see cities full of men's bodies". Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth, wrote that Peter and Paul suffered martyrdom at the same time. Paul was beheaded and Peter crucified headdown because he felt unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as Christ.

4. During the reign of Domitian (AD 81-96) this apostle was sent into exile. Name him.

Answer: John

John was exiled to the isle of Patmos during the reign of Domitian where he wrote what is now known as the Book of Revelation. This was during the second persecution.

Answer: Polycarp

As they came to secure him to the stake Polycarp said, "Leave me as I am; for he who giveth me strength to sustain the fire, will enable me also, without you securing me with nails, to remain without flinching in the pile." When it seemed as if the fire was not consuming Polycarp, they ran him through with a sword; the gush of blood was so great it extinguished the fire.

This is said to have occurred during the fourth persecution under the vicious Marcus Aurelius, also known as Antoninus Verus (AD 161-180).

Answer: Alexander

The reign of Maximinus lasted but three years. He commanded only that the rulers of the church be put to death as they were responsible for the teaching of the Gospel.

Answer: Bartholomew

Most of the apostles were killed before the period known as the Ten Persecutions. Note that the accounts of the apostles' deaths are mainly traditional.

Answer: Valerian

The Magi, Macrianus who served as "rationibus Augusti" in Egypt, was said to have been involved in occult practices that included child sacrifices. The Eighth Persecution was ended by the son and successor of Valerian, Gallienus.

Answer: Diocletian and Maximian

Diocletian and Maximian resigned as emperors just two years after the final persecution had begun. Rule then fell to Galerius and Constantius. Constantius, a modest ruler, accepted France, Spain, and Britian but refused all other parts and conceded them to Galerius who continued to carry out the persecution.

10. This ruler vanquished the last of the cruel Roman emperors and showed great favor to Christians thus ending the 300 year persecution of Christians. Who was he?

Answer: Constantine the Great

Constantine was the son and heir of Constantius and spent little time in the pursuit of persecuting Christians. Constantine the Great conquered Rome and was enthroned as emperor thus ushering in a prolonged period of relative respite from martyrdom for Christians.

Source: Author DieHard

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