Christian activism in the first and second centuries CE did not go unnoticed, especially by the provincial leaders who disliked any civil unrest that interfered with the Pax Romana, a peaceful and prosperous period between 14 and 180 CE. With the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 CE and the Diaspora (the forced dispersion of the Jews from Israel) that followed, after the first century CE, Christian castigation mostly came from Roman leadership who feared little, if any, reprisal or revenge from the Christians who were known for their passivity and peacefulness (and who had few political friends in the Senate). Thus, members of the Early Christian movement often became political targets and scapegoats for the social ills and political tensions of specific rulers and turbulent periods during the first three centuries, CE; however, this persecution was sporadic and rarely Empire-wide, but it was devastating, nonetheless.

The persecution of the Christians did not end with the deaths of the Disciples and the Apostles; their pupils and successors, the Church Fathers (ancient theologians, church leaders, and defenders of orthodox Christianity) also endured Roman hostility and maltreatment for their beliefs, as did other peripheral Christian men, women, and children (of all ages) who called them- selves, "Christian. The three main periods of persecution occurred from 64 to 95 CE (Emperor Nero to Emperor Domitian), 112 to 250 CE (Emperor Trajan to Emperor Decius), and 250 to 311 CE (Emperor Valerian to Diocletian).

Generally, people of all religious persuasions were tolerated within the Roman Empire; after all, polytheism was the norm for most Mediterranean societies at that time. Yet, for the Empire to operate, efficiently and profitably, social order had to be maintained at all costs. Submission to the Emperor was not an option, but Christians could not and would not say, "Lord, Lord, to the enthroned emperor or make a divine offering in their deified honor. This caused frequent friction with Roman authorities, and who started a conflict was less important to the Roman governors than maintaining peace and acquiescence; therefore, the troublesome elements were eliminated as a warning to others about challenging the absolute rule of Rome.