The
Roman Empire is generally very
tolerant of religions that differ from the
Roman religion (which incorporates
emperor worship as well as the
Gods). For example, warlike
Persian religions were very
popular among
Roman soldiers. The
Egyptian religion was allowed to be practiced freely. However, since the
introduction of
Christianity,
Christians were persucted for refusing to acknowledge the
deity of the
Roman empire.
Christians were persecuted for their belief in a single God. Among the more popular methods of execution was the feeding of Christians to lions at the circus, or groups being massacred by gladiators for sport. Crucifixion was another popular method, as was immolation.
The executions came on and off as time passed. It was not until the end of the Roman empire when Constantine the Great converted to Christianity did the persecution of Christians fully end.