>>14162198Tiberius, who ruled from 14AD to 37AD. Tiberius was Augustus' stepson, and Emperor during Pontius Pilate's governorship of Judea. He ruled at the time of the crucifixion. Before Tiberius died, and within 7 years of the crucifixion, followers of Christos began appearing in Rome and trying to convert Romans. This led to increased resentments against Jews and their new sect of Christos followers.
Caligula, who ruled 37AD-41AD, came to power only 7 years after the Crucifixion. Caligula banished Herod and after declaring himself a god, killed followers of Christos and any Jews who refused to accept him as god. Followers of Christos were still considered a sect of Judaism during his reign.
Claudius, who ruled 41AD-54AD. His rule ended only 21 years after the Crucifixion. Claudius decreed all the Jews to leave Rome as tensions increased. Claudius further banned 'any Jews' into Alexandria from Syria or Egypt, specifically referring to the Jewish sect of followers of Christos which were causing trouble.
Nero, who ruled from 54AD-68AD. Nero's rule began only 21 years after the Crucifixion. Under Nero, the persecutions of Christos' followers became targeted, and they were labeled as a specific sect of their own rather than being a Jewish sect. This official persecutions of Christians began within 25 years of the crucifixion. The fire that burned most of Rome in 64AD, (which some of the Senate believed Nero started himself to further a building plan he had outlined for Rome and been rejected), Nero subsequently blamed on the followers of Christos. In July of 64AD after he escaped blame for the fire, he set up the first Imperial laws to persecute Christians.
"Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination”
