The History of Christianity Consisting of the Life and Teachings of Jesus of Nazareth; the Adventures of Paul and the Apostles; and the Most Interesting Events in the Progress of Christianity, from the Earliest Period to the Present Time.

CHAPTER XIV.

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INVASION, CIVIL WAR, AND UNRELENTING PERSECUTION.

Æmilianus and Valerian.――Barbaric Hordes.――Slavery and its Retribution.――Awful Fate of Valerian.――Ruin of the Roman Empire. ――Zenobia and her Captivity.――The Slave Diocletian becomes Emperor.――His Reign, Abdication, Death.――Division of the Empire.――Terrible Persecution.――The Glory of Christianity. ――Characteristics of the First Three Centuries.――Abasement of Rome.