Of the Eighth Persecution of the Christians

Martyrs Mirror in Modern English

Third Century

Of the Eighth Persecution of the Christians

OF THE EIGHTH PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS, UNDER VALERIAN AND HIS SON GALLIEN, WHICH BEGAN ABOUT THE YEAR 259

After the death of the Emperor Volusian, the son of Decius, Aemilian, an Ethiopian, came to the imperial throne; but since it is stated that he reigned only three months, and that Valerian had already been declared Emperor before him, his reign is not counted. It follows, then, that Valerian was acknowledged Emperor. He, together with his son Gallien, began to reign about the year 255, as Seb. Frank sets forth; but the persecution, according to the testimony of different authors, did not begin until the year 259.