Page "Diocletian" Paragraph 39

At the conclusion of the peace, Diocletian and Galerius returned to Syrian Antioch.

At some time in 299, the Emperors took part in a ceremony of sacrifice and divination in an attempt to predict the future.

The haruspices were unable to read the entrails of the sacrificed animals, and blamed Christians in the Imperial household.

The Emperors ordered all members of the court to perform a sacrifice to purify the palace.

The Emperors sent letters to the military command, demanding the entire army perform the required sacrifices or face discharge.

Diocletian was conservative in matters of religion, a man faithful to the traditional Roman pantheon and understanding of demands for religious purification, but Eusebius, Lactantius and Constantine state that it was Galerius, not Diocletian, who was the prime supporter of the purge, and its greatest beneficiary.

Galerius, even more devoted and passionate than Diocletian, saw political advantage in the politics of persecution.

He was willing to break with a government policy of inaction on the issue.