How bad was the persecution of Christians during the first three centuries?

[JohnConnor]

From the time of the Apostles until the year 313, Christians were persecuted by the Roman Empire.

How bad were the persecutions?

 

[Sal]

it is worse now.

 

[AnnaP]

They were pretty bad. Paul notes in Ephesians that he is moving on and that he expects to be tortured and put in jail. that's why services were held in homes rather than separate buildings, for the most part. Of course the Colisseum activities are well-known, but there were many crucified during that period and left hanging along the roadways.

 

[Metal4†GOD†]

Crucifixions upside down sounds pretty bad. or burning on a cross sounds pretty bad.

 

[grumpus]

Not as bad as they claim if you read Pliny the Younger.
He allowed Christians to either recant or to simply swear an oath of loyalty to Rome.
He only executed those who refused to swear allegiance to the Empire.

 

[TerryW]

It probably was quite bad. The Romans did not like them until they were suddenly convenient.

...And the Christians have made everyone else pay since.

 

[AllergictoBullshtt]

no worse than the dark ages or the inquisition