Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses: Doctorates and Masters Theses 1-1-2005 The alleged persecution of the Roman Christians by the emperor Domitian Ken Laffer Edith Cowan University Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses Part of the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Laffer, K. (2005). The alleged persecution of the Roman Christians by the emperor Domitian. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/639 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/639 Edith Cowan University Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorize you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. You are reminded of the following: Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. 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Dip Ed., B.Th. · Thesis to be submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of Master of Arts (Religious Studies) At the Faculty of Community Services, Education and Social Sciences Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia. Date of Submission: 2005 USE OF THESIS The Use of Thesis statement is not included in this version of the thesis. ABSTRACT This thesis examines the traditional view of Domitian's reign, particularly as it relates to his alleged persecution of Roman Christians. In the light of recent revisionist studies, which offer alternative views, this alleged persecution needs to be reassessed. In order to reevaluate this topic, it will be necessary to examine the opinions of the traditionalists and the revisionists, argued from the pagan primary sources together with views expressed in Christian primary and secondary sources. The study of the development of the Domitianic tradition, which involves accounts from a variety of primary and secondary sources, will involve a re.examination ofliterary texts that discuss Domitian's reign. The authenticity and applicability of some texts to the dis.cussion about Domitian will also be considered. Some attempt has also been made to include archeological aspects into this topic and recent studies will also be considered to detennine if anything substantive may be found. This thesis will argue that Domitian was not as bad as the biased primary pagan sources portray him and that it is unlikely that Domitian ever persecuted the Roman Christians. This examination of traditional and revisionist points of view will provide a more up to date assessment of Domitian's reign. DECLARATION I certify that this thesis does not, to the best ofmy knowledge and belief: (i) incorporate without acknowledgement any material previously submitted for a degree or diploma in any institution of higher education; (ii) contain any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text; or (iii) contain any defamatory material. I also grant permission for the Library at Edith Cowan University to make duplicate copies ofmy thesis as required. Date: Lo ./... A-:Jl/ct: b,o r ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to acknowledge the following assistance given to me as I investigated the thesis topic: To Dr. Bill Leadbetter who first .suggested the topic as a worthwhile project and provided early supervision and guidance of the study. To Dr. Peter Bedford who assumed the role of supervisor and provided much needed advice and support. To Brian Rundgren who kindly translated an important document for me. To my wife Leonie who supported and encouraged me and proof read when necessary. Note: Referencing conventions in this th1~sis follow the Publication Manual ofthe American Psychological Association, Fifth Edition, 2001. iii Table of Contents Page Abi;tract Declaration ii Acknowledgments iii Table of Contents iv - viii Chapter One Introduction Introduction Issues 3 Thesis structure 12 Chapter Two Rome's relationship with the Roman Jews in the First Century before the reign of Domitian Introduction 17 The origins of the Jews in Rome until the end of Julius Caesar's reign 18 The Julio-Claudian Emperors - Augustus and the Jews 21 Tiberius and the Jews 22 Gaius (Caligula) and the Jews 26 Claudius and the Jews 28 Nero and the Jews 31 The Flavian Emperors - Vespasian and Titus and the Jews 32 Overview 33 iv Chapter Three Nero and the Christians Introduction 38 The circumstances of Nero's actions against the Christians according to Tacitus 41 Were the Roman Jews involved? 42 Religion, Atheism, Superstition and perceived threat 44 Pagans and Christians 47 w:10 was responsible for the fire? 52 What was the basis for the conviction of the Roman Christians? 57 Was there a specific law against the Christians? 62 Nero and the Christians according to Suetonius 64 Nero and the Christians according to later Church historians 66 Uncertainties involving Nero's reign 69 The truth about Nero 71 Conclusion 73 Chapter Four Early Christian literary traditions about persecution in the First Century AD Introduction 76 The Gospels 78 The Acts of the Apostles 79 v Other New Testament books 83 Pagan recognition oFthe Christians 88 Jewish opposition to Christian mission 93 The Apostolic Fathers 97 Conclusion JOO Chapter Five Domitian's character in the Pagan Historiographical S0urces Introduction 103 Domitian's character according to Tacitus 105 Domitian's character according to Pliny the Younger 107 Domitian's character according to Suetonius 108 Domitian's character according to Dio Cassius 109 The end oFthe tyrant-was this a turning point? 109 The actions oFa Feared emperor 111 The issue orthe Jewish Tax 113 Recent historical discussion - revising the picture of Domitian 118 A question of bias - relationships between the early writers 122 In defence oFthc emperor 127 Conclusion 129 Chapter Six l1omitian's alleged persecution Introduction 131 vi Suetonius and Dio and the alleged persecution 133 Domitian as Lord and god 136 The early Christian sources - The Apologists and Eusebius 140 Recent assessments ofEusebius' account of Domitian 148 Were the key individuals Jews or Christians? 151 Was Jewish proselytising an issue? 156 The Imperial Cult and the Christians 161 The correspondence between Pliny and Trajan 166 Was there a persecution by Domitian? 172 Conclusion 176 Chapter Seven Archaeological findings related to the alleged persecution Introduction 179 Early histor.ical accounts about the catacombs 180 Attempt5 to identify and date the catacombs: 1879-1922 182 Modern attempt!. to date the catacombs: 1958-2003 184 Conclusion 193 Chapter Eight Domitilla's Martyrdom and the development of the Domitianic tradition Introduction 194 Domitilla as Martyr and Saint- an overview of the Domitianic persecution tradition 195 vii Definitions: martyr, martyrology and Roman martyrology 200 The growth of martrylogy and hagiography 201 Conclusion 209 Chapter Nine Summary of Findings 211 Bibliography 214 viii Chapter One Introduction Introduction For many centuries, the traditional scholarly portrait of the Flavian emperor Domitian was one of an evil tyrant whose rnign (AD. 81-96) was marked by terror and fear. Towards the end of his rule, the emperor c.:me to be regarded by many as a dangerous person until, finally, close associates assassinated him. In more recent decades the traditional assessment of Domitian has been re-examined a number of times and there have been mc1.ny attempts to restore the emperor's tarnished image. A number of recent bnoks and articles have challenged the traditional view, and much of this work on Domitian has attempted to substantially change or reverse the views expressed by the ancient Roman writers. The impact of these recent writings upon the alleged persecution of the Roman Christians by Domitian should now be considered and integrated into the discussion about the alleged persecution of Roman Christians. This is necessary because the last substantial c1rticle that focused specifically on the persecution was published in 1973. The primary aim of this thesis is to evaluate the claims of traditional and revisionist views of the emperor's reign, particularly as it applies to the alleged persecution. To achieve this aim, the vie\\.'S of the traditionalists and the revisionists will be considered in relation to the Christian and non-Christian primary sources to determine if certain revisionist arguments offer a more persuasive account of the alleged persecution. This thesis will assert tha.t recent revisionist arguments highlight how tenuous is the evidence for the alleged persecution. 2 In addition, this thesis will investigate the early Church literary tradition about the alleged persecution, and the development of the Domitianic tradition. Some aspects of these two subjects, such as whether or not there was a persecution and the growth of the persecution legend, have received little attention in earlier discussions about Domitian. Finally, this thesis will examine the physical evidence that is believed by some archeologists and historians to involve the reign of Domitian. This subject has received less attention than it should have in most considerations about the emperor's rule.