Final answer:
At least four Roman emperors known for ordering persecutions against Christians are Emperor Nero, Emperor Decius, Emperor Valerian, and Emperor Diocletian. Their motivations ranged from political scapegoating to enforcing religious conformity, culminating in some of the most severe measures under Diocletian's Great Persecution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Throughout the history of the Roman Empire, several emperors ordered persecutions of Christians. These actions were often due to the Christians' refusal to participate in the imperial cult, which the Romans considered an act of treason. Notable emperors who initiated these prosecutions include:
- Emperor Nero (54-68 CE), who attempted to blame Christians for the Great Fire of Rome and is traditionally believed to have martyred Saints Peter and Paul.
- Emperor Decius (249-251 CE), who issued an empire-wide requirement for sacrifice to the emperor, making it a crime for Christians not to participate.
- Emperor Valerian, who in 258 issued an edict that led to the persecution of the Christian clergy.
- Emperor Diocletian (284-305 CE), who initiated the most severe persecution of Christians, known as the Great Persecution, from 303 to 311 CE.
The Great Persecution under Diocletian was especially notorious for its attempt to systematically destroy Christian churches, texts, and force apostasy through extreme measures of torture and executions.