The Pagans’ Outrages Against the Christians

He also barred from holding any office at court all who would not renounce Christianity and offer sacrifice to idols. Nor would he allow Christians to be governors of provinces, “for,” he said, “their law forbids them to use the sword against offenders who deserve the death penalty.” He also persuaded many to sacrifice, partly by flattery and partly by gifts. At once, as if tested in a furnace, it became plain to everyone who were the real Christians and who were Christians only in name. Those who were Christians with an honest heart very readily gave up their commissions, choosing to endure anything rather than deny Christ. Among them were Jovian, Valentinian and Valens, each of whom later became emperor. [a]

But others, of unsound principles, who preferred the riches and honor of this world to true happiness, sacrificed without hesitation. One of these was Ecebolius, a sophist of Constantinople. He adapted himself to the leanings of the emperors: in the reign of Constantius he pretended to be an ardent Christian, in Julian’s time he appeared an equally vigorous pagan, and after Julian’s death he made a profession of Christianity again. For he threw himself down before the church doors and cried out, “Trample on me, for I am salt that has lost its taste.” So fickle and inconstant was this man throughout the whole course of his life.

About this time the emperor, wishing to retaliate against the Persians for the frequent raids they had made on Roman territory in the reign of Constantius, marched with great speed through Asia into the East. But he knew well what a train of disasters follows a war, and what immense resources are needed to wage one successfully, and that without them it cannot be waged at all. So he craftily devised a plan for raising money by extorting it from the Christians. On all who refused to sacrifice he laid a heavy fine. It was exacted with great severity from those who were true Christians, each one being forced to pay in proportion to what he owned. By these unjust means the emperor soon piled up immense wealth, for this law was enforced both where Julian was present in person and where he was not.

At the same time the pagans attacked the Christians, and a great crowd gathered of those who called themselves “philosophers.” They then went on to set up certain abominable mysteries. They sacrificed pure children, both boys and girls, inspected their entrails, and even tasted their flesh. These infamous rites were practiced in other cities, but above all at Athens and Alexandria. In Alexandria a slanderous accusation was made against Athanasius the bishop. The emperor was assured that he was set on laying waste not only that city but all Egypt, and that nothing but his expulsion from the country could save it. So the governor of Alexandria was instructed by an imperial edict to arrest him.