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An examination of the literary, liturgical, artistic, and archaeological evidence for persecution and martyrdom in the early centuries of Christianity, through the term of Pope Gregory I (590-604 CE). Through the examination of primary sources, the course engages the question of where and why Christians were actually persecuted, and by whom. Attention will be placed on the role of these persecutions-and the stories later told about these persecutions-in the formation of early Christian identity. No prerequisite but a background in New Testament (REL 121) and/or Christian History (REL 103, REL 321, REL 322, REL 331) is highly desirable. Group III Humanities. Writing Requirement.