MARCUS AURELIUS
whom I knew not, straightway there came water from heaven, the coolest of rain upon us, but upon the enemies of Rome fiery hail. So straightway was revealed to us at once, as they prayed, the presence of their God, as of one omnipotent and everlasting.
4. From this moment, therefore, let us allow such persons to be Christians, lest by praying they obtain such weapons against us. And I propose that no such person be accused on the ground of his being a Christian. But, if anyone be found accusing the Christian for being a Christian, I wish it to be made clear that the Christian who is brought to trial should be (acquitted), if he confesses himself to be a Christian, and no other charge is brought against him except that he is a Christian, but that his accuser shall be burnt alive;[1] and the Governor who is set over the province must not force to recant or deprive of his liberty the Christian who confesses that he is one, and is credited.
5. My will is that this should be ratified by a decree of the Senate, and I direct that this my edict be published in Trajan's Forum, that it-may be o^pen to all to read it. The prefect Vitrasius Pollio[2] will see to it that it is sent throughout the provinces. Anyone who wishes to appeal to it and to have it by him must not be prevented from obtaining a copy from the official gazette of our decrees.
- ↑ An impossible, because illegal, enactment for Marcus.
- ↑ He married Annia Faustina, a cousin of Marcus, and was Consul n. in 176. If praef. praet. at all, he must have succeeded Macrinus Vindex, who fell in battle in 172.
