persecution · 303–311 · Nicomedia
The Great Persecution (303–313): four escalating edicts ordered the churches razed, the scriptures surrendered, the clergy imprisoned, and at last universal sacrifice. Eusebius witnessed it in Palestine and counted its martyrs there at 83; modern estimates put the executed across the empire at three to three and a half thousand, with far more imprisoned, mutilated or sent to the mines. It broke first in the west (306) and ended in the east with Galerius' edict (311) and Milan (313).
Diocletian's restoration of the old order — the church now too large to ignore.
Churches razed, scriptures burned, universal sacrifice; some 3,000–3,500 executed by modern estimate, ending in Galerius' capitulation (311) and Milan (313).