ABSTRACT
BY the end of the first century Christianity had spread far and wide through the Empire. At this time it had no obvious centre. Jerusalem had been destroyed and Antioch, although for a time the base of missionary activity, had never taken its place. Rome, as the imperial capital, was already rising to prominence among Christians, but it had not yet the same historic claim on their veneration as either Jerusalem or Antioch. The Church was thus in outward appearance a somewhat amorphous association, held together by its ministry. As its religion was not recognised by the State, it tended to take on something of the character of a secret society. Although the mere fact that it was not officially recognised was not enough of itself to set the police in action against it, yet many circumstances as we have seen might combine to provoke an attack. Above everything had to be considered the caprice or policy of the reigning emperor. In the first half of the second century we must notice the attitude of three remarkable rulers.
