Lactantius’ On the Manner In Which the Persecutors Died

Lucius Caelius Firmianus Lactantius, better known just as Lactantius, was likely born sometime around AD 260 in North Africa. He was skilled in rhetoric and became a student of Arnobius, who himself taught in Sicca Veneria. Lactantius became so well known for his oratory skill that the Emperor Diocletian offered him a position in Nicomedia. Lactantius embraced Christianity and chose to resign his position before Diocletian’s persecution. He lived in poverty until Constantine appointed Lactantius as tutor of his son around 315, and he died about ten years later.

This episode contains Lactantius’ work entitled “On the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died.” As can be seen from the text, this was written following the legalization of Christianity by Constantine via the Edict of Milan in AD 313. While the focus of this podcast has largely been on works created prior to this significant event, in this work Lactantius provides an invaluable summary of the experiences of Christians under Roman rule. This is by no means an unbiased history text, however, as one of Lactantius’ stated goals was to highlight how God’s justice played out against the rulers of the oppressive and evil Roman regime. In doing so, he reminds us that the eyes of God are on all rulers. Those who persecute, oppress, and even kill their own citizens or the inhabitants of territories they occupy will by no means escape the justice and judgment of God.

If you would like to read more of the writings of the Early Christian Fathers, please visit ccel.org to view the full collection.