jan 1, 305 - Emperor Diocletion

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Diocletian was the emperor of Rome from CE 284 to CE 305 and is known for his persecution of Christians and for establishing the Tetrarchy (rule of 4). During his rule, Christians experienced the worst persecution of all time. Christianity was especially persecuted by Diocletian because it was a young religion, it exalted its martyrs, and it encouraged evangelism. The Tetrarchy was influential in that it established a more capable rule in Rome, instituted the system that would allow Constantine to rise to power, and laid the groundwork for the eventual split of the empire into East and West.
-It is also worth mentioning that the response of Christians, namely bishops, to Diocletian's persecution sparked the Diocletian controversy, which ultimately led to the Great Schism.

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