Although there have been many persecutions, The '''Age of Persecution''' began in A. D. 64 with the persecution of Christians in Rome by Nero and ended in A. D. 313 with Constantine's Edict_of_Milan. This period was critical in the development of the Early_Church. See also Ante-Nicene_Fathers. ==External links== *Catholic Encyclopedia: Discipline of the Secret *The Early Church Fathers Category:Constantinian_dynasty Category:Ancient_Roman_Christianity