The original account
SEVERAL YEARS AFTER THE DEATH OF THE PRECEDING
MARTYRS, A. D. 284, DIOCLETIAN ATTAINED
TO THE REIGN OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS
ISSUED HIS FIRST EDICT AGAINST THE CHRISTIANS, WHICH WAS
FOLLOWED BY A SECOND IN 302, CALLED THE
Tenth Persecution of the Christians.
First Part. · AN ACCOUNT OF THE PIOUS MARTYRS AND WITNESSES OF JESUS CHRIST WHO SUFFERED IN THE THIRD CENTURY.
Original wording, with book contents, page navigation, and linked notes. Source heading; not independently verified
Before the tenth general and severe persecution of the Christians began, A. D. 302, many Christians were put to death in different places, and throughout this whole period, by virtue of the first edict of Diocletian. Of these we shall present a few, and then, with the beginning of the next century, proceed to the tenth and severest persecution.
