Edict of Decius

The Edict of Decius, issued in 250 CE by Roman Emperor Decius, mandated that all citizens participate in a civic sacrifice to the Roman gods, which served as a loyalty test to the empire. Those who refused faced penalties, including imprisonment or execution. The decree aimed to strengthen traditional Roman religious practices and unify the empire, but it also led to persecution of Christians, who refused to worship pagan gods. This event marked a significant moment in religious history, highlighting the tension between state authority and individual religious beliefs.