Publisher's Synopsis
Book Excerpt: tseems, against probability) for Illiberis.[1] However that may be, theearly establishment of Christianity in Spain is attested by Irenæus, whoappeals to the Spanish Church as retaining the primitive doctrine.[2]The long roll of Spanish martyrs begins in the persecution of Domitian(95 A.D.) with the name of Eugenius, bishop of Toledo. In most of thesucceeding persecutions Spain furnished her full quota of martyrs, butshe suffered most under Diocletian (303). It was in this emperor's reignthat nearly all the inhabitants of Cæsar Augusta were treacherouslyslaughtered on the sole ground of their being Christians; thus earningfor their native city from the Christian poet Prudentius, [3] the proudtitle of "patria sanctorum martyrum."[1] Florez, "España Sagrada," vol. iii. pp. 361 ff.[2] Bk. I. ch. x. 2 (A.D. 186).[3] 348-402 A.D.The persecution of Diocletian, though the fiercest, was at the same timethe last, which afflicted the Church under the Roman Empire. DiocletianindeeRead More
