The Roman persecutions of Christians began with the emperor Nero (54-68) who probably selected the Christians to be scapegoats that would turn attention away from him during the time he was accused, probably falsely, of having set fire to Rome to clear the city center for his magnificent palace. During the second century persecutions were sporadic under different emperors, largely resulting from accusations against them raised by citizens who saw them as atheists for not worshipping Roman gods, or accepted rumors of their being cannibals or incestuous.

Serious empire-wide persecutions began with the emperor Decius in 250 and continued unabated and ferociously until the emperor Gratian issued the Edict of Toleration in 311. During the time of intense persecution Christians hid from Roman soldiers by tunneling under ground passages in which they buried their dead, thus avoiding the Roman practice of cremation.
In these underground tombs they hid, worshipped, and left evidence of their presence and their faith by art along the walls. Romans, being highly superstitious, were reluctant to enter underground tunnels anyway and especially so since dead people were buried there. The underground tombs, or catacombs, provided a place of safety. The tunnels were constructed outside the city because no burials could take place within it, and were connected to each other to provide a passageway around the entire city.
Visiting the catacombs creates the feeling of sharing with early Christians the intimate

experiences of their lives. Traces of their presence and faith are to be found everywhere. I remember especially holding worship services with people in my tour group in this place. What an experience indeed!
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