Diocletian persecuted Christians ruthlessly out of hatred

Diocletian desired stability and the total establishment of the ancient Roman deities. He desired that all Roman citizens adhere to the Pagan Religion, which he practiced. The Christians, however, would never consent to such. Diocletian, who thought of himself as the living God, could not stand the Christians' inflexibility. He wanted everyone to bow down before him and kiss the hem of his robe.

The "Diocletianic" or "Great Persecution," which Diocletian launched, restricted the rights of Christians. Either Christians had to submit to Roman religious customs or perish. In 303 A.D., Diocletian gave the command to his soldiers to burn down all churches and Christian literature. Between 303 and 312, this brutal persecution came to an end. Diocletian's attempt to exterminate Christians was so unsuccessful. Many Roman emperors attempted to put an end to Christianity, including Nero. But after 324 A.D., it became the religion of choice.