edict · 311 · Serdica
Dying at Serdica in 311, Galerius — the persecution's great engine — issued the edict that gave it up: Christians may exist again and assemble, and are asked to pray for the emperor. Lactantius, who savoured the irony, preserves the text.
The dying persecutor concedes the persecution has failed.
Christians may exist and assemble again, asked to pray for the emperor — the Great Persecution's legal end in the east.