Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 2.djvu/233

 OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 215 The provinces of Italy and Africa experienced a ciiAi'. short but violent persecution. The rigorous edicts of '^^^' Diocletian were strictly and cheerfully executed by his in Italy and associate Maximian, who had long hated the christians, jer ^laxi- and who delighted in acts of blood and violence. In m'an and the autumn of the first year of the persecution, the ' two emperors met at Rome to celebrate their triumph : several oppressive laws appear to have issued from their secret consultations, and the dihgence of the magistrates was animated by the presence of their sovereigns. After Diocletian had divested himself of the purple, Italy and Africa were administered under the name of Severus, and w'ere exposed, without defence, to the implacable resentment of his master Galerius. Among the martyrs of Rome, Adauctus deserves the notice of posterity. He was of a noble family in Italy, and had raised himself, through the successive honours of the })alace, to the important office of treasurer of the pri- vate demesnes. Adauctus is the more remarkable for being the only person of rank and distinction who ap- pears to have suffered death during the whole course of this general persecution ^ The revolt of Maxentius immediately restored peace under Max- to the churches of Italy and Africa; and the same ^"""^' tyrant who oppressed every other class of his subjects, showed himself just, humane, and even partial towards the afflicted christians. He depended on their grati- tude and affection ; and very naturally presumed, that the injuries which they had suffered, and the dangers which they still apprehended, from his most inveterate enemy, would secure the fidelity of a party already considerable by their numbers and opulence^. Even the conduct of Maxentius towards the bishops of Rome and Carthage, may be considered as the proof of his toleration, since it is probable that the most orthodox f Eusebius, 1. viii. c. 1 1 ; Gruter, Tnscript. p. 1171. No. 18. Rufinushas mistaken the office of Adauctus, as well as the place of his martyrdom. i? Eusebius, 1. viii. c. 14. But as Maxentius was vanquished by Con- stantine, it suited the purpose of Lactantius to place his death among those of the persecutors.