I have mentioned several times that Jews are lucky to have survived at all faced with its offshoot Christianity. The Christians adopted the Jewish hatred of other peoples and other religions. Rule 2, always set a good example.

While this is short on detail it is worth reading, keeping a copy and rereading every so often. The more you read the more realize just how different things were in the good old days. But on first reading you should get a feel for just how different the reality was from what we commonly read. Constantine declared Christianity the official religion and that was that.

Here is a summary of Emperor level edicts continuing more three centuries after Constantine and two centuries more where conversion/extermination of the "gentile" Hellenes is still in progress. Through all of this, Judaism is the only other religion which is legally permitted. Clearly Constantine was only the beginning and edicts of Emperors did not carry much weight.

What I find on rereading this is just how different things were. We talk about their Pantheon. But this recounting indicates each god had to be dealt with individually even after all were declared to be demon worship. It dozens tell you much about what it was like rather only that it does not fit any modern idea of how an empire is run.

Summarised from Vlasis Rassias' book
"DEMOLISH THEM.."
(Published in Greek)

Athens 1994, Diipetes Editions, ISBN 960-85311-3-6

(All dates "Era Vulgaris" = Christian Era)

314
Council of Ancyra denounces the worship of the Goddess Artemis.

324
Emperor Constantine declares christianity as the only official religion of
the Roman Empire. In Dydima, Asia Minor, he sacks the Oracle of the God
Apollo and tortures its Pagan priests to death. He also evicts the Gentiles
from Mt. Athos and destroys all the local Hellenic Temples.

326
Emperor Constantine, following the instructions of his mother Helen, a
former prostitute, destroys the Temple of the God Asclepius in Aigeai of
Cilicia and many Temples of the Goddess Aphrodite in Jerusalem, Aphaca,
Mambre, Phoenice, Baalbek, etc.

330
Constantine steals the treasures and statues of the Pagan Temples in Greece
to decorate Nova Roma (Constantinople), the new capital of his Empire.

335
Constantine sacks many Pagan Temples of Asia Minor and Palestine and orders
the execution by crucifixion of "all magicians and soothsayers". Martyrdom
of the neoplatonist philosopher Sopatrus.

341
Emperor Flavius Julius Constantius persecutes "all the soothsayers and the
Hellenists". Many Gentile Hellenes are either imprisoned or executed.

346
New large-scale persecutions against the Gentiles in Constantinople.
Banishment of the famous orator Libanius, who is accused of being a
magician.

353
An edict of Constantius orders the death penalty for all kind of worship
through sacrifices and "idols".

354
A new edict orders the closing of all the Pagan Temples. Some of them are
profaned and turned into brothels or gambling rooms. Executions of Pagan
priests.

354
A new edict of Constantius orders the destruction of the Pagan Temples and
the execution of all "idolaters". First burning of libraries in various
cities of the Empire. The first lime factories are built next to closed
Pagan Temples. A large part of Sacred Gentile architecture is turned into
lime.

357
Constantius outlaws all methods of Divination (Astrology not excluded).

359
In Skythopolis, Syria, christians organise the first death camps for the
torture and execution of arrested Gentiles from all around the Empire.

361 to 363
Religious tolerance and restoration of Pagan cults declared in
Constantinople (11th December 361) by the Pagan Emperor Flavius Claudius
Julianus.

363
Assassination of Emperor Julianus (26th June).

364
Emperor Flavius Jovianus orders the burning of the Library of Antioch.

364
An Imperial edict (11th September) orders the death penalty for all Gentiles
that worship their ancestral Gods or practice Divination (sileat omnibus
perpetuo divinandi curiositas). Three different edicts (4th February, 9th
September, 23rd December) order the confiscation of all properties of Pagan
Temples and the death penalty for participation in Pagan rituals, even
private ones.

365
An Imperial edict (17th November) forbids Gentile officers of the army to
command christian soldiers.

370
Emperor Valens orders a tremendous persecution of Gentiles throughout the
Eastern Empire. In Antioch, among many other Pagans, the ex-governor
Fidustius and the priests Hilarius and Patricius are executed. Tons of books
are burnt in the squares of cities of the Eastern Empire. All friends of
Julianus are persecuted (Orebasius, Sallustius, Pegasius etc.), the
philosopher Simonides is burned alive and the philosopher Maximus is
decapitated.

372
Emperor Valens orders the governor of Asia Minor to exterminate the Hellenes
and all documents of their wisdom.

373
New prohibition of all methods of divination. The term "Pagan" (pagani,
villagers) is introduced by the christians to lessen the Gentiles.

375
The Temple of God Asclepius in Epidaurus, Greece, is closed down.

380
On 27th February, christianity becomes the exclusive religion of the Roman
Empire by an edict of Emperor Flavius Theodosius, requiring that "all the
various nations, which are subject to our clemency and moderation should
continue in the profession of that religion, which was delivered to the
Romans by the divine Apostle Peter".

Non-christians are called "loathsome, heretics, stupid and blind". In
another edict Theodosius calls "insane" those that do not believe in the
christian god and outlaws all disagreements with church dogmas. Ambrosius,
bishop of Milan, starts destroying all the Pagan Temples of his area.
Christian priests lead the hungry mob against the Temple of Goddess Demeter
in Eleusis and try to lynch the hierophants, Nestorius and Priskus.  The 95
year-old hierophant Nestorius, ends the Eleusinian Mysteries and announces
the predominance of mental darkness over the human race.

381
On 2nd May, Theodosius deprives all rights of christians that return to the
Pagan Religion. Throughout the Eastern Empire, Pagan Temples and Libraries
are looted or burned down. On 21st December, Theodosius outlaws even simple
visits to the Temples of the Hellenes. In Constantinople, the Temple of
Goddess Aphrodite is turned into a brothel and the Temples of Helios and
Artemis into stables.

382
"Hellelu-jah" (Glory to Yahweh) is imposed in the christian mass.

384
Emperor Theodosius orders the Praetorian Prefect, Maternus Cynegius, a
dedicated christian, to cooperate with the local bishops and destroy the
Temples of the Gentiles in Northern Greece and Asia Minor.

385 to 388
Maternus Cynegius, encouraged by his fanatic wife and the bishop "Saint"
Marcellus, scours the countryside with his gangs and sacks and destroys
hundreds of Hellenic Temples, shrines and altars. Amongst others they
destroy the Temple of Edessa, the Cabeireion of Imbros, the Temple of Zeus
in Apamea, the Temple of Apollo in Dydima and all the Temples of Palmyra.
Thousands of innocent Gentiles from all sides of the Empire suffer martyrdom
in the notorious death camps of Skythopolis.

386
Emperor Theodosius outlaws (16th June) the care of sacked Pagan Temples.

388
Public talks on religious subjects are also outlawed by Theodosius. The old
orator Libanius sends his famous Epistle "Pro Templis" to Theodosius, with
the hope that the few remaining Hellenic Temples will be respected and
spared.

389 to 390
All non-christian calenders are outlawed. Hordes of fanatic hermits from the
desert flood into Middle Eastern and Egyptian cities, destroying statues,
altars, libraries and Pagan Temples, whilst Gentiles are lynched.
Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, starts heavy persecutions against the
Gentiles, turns the Temple of Dionysus into a church, burns down the
Mithraeum of the city, destroys the Temple of Zeus and burlesques the Pagan
priests before they are killed by stoning. The christian mob profanes the
cult images.

391
On 24th February, a new edict of Theodosius prohibits not only visits to
Pagan Temples but also looking at vandalised statues. New heavy persecutions
all around the Empire. In Alexandria, Egypt, the Gentiles, led by the
philosopher Olympius, revolt and after street fights, lock themselves inside
the fortified Temple of God Serapis (The Serapeion). After a violent siege,
christians occupy the building, demolish it, burn its famous Library and
profane the cult images.

392
On 8th November, the Emperor Theodosius outlaws all non-christian rituals
and names them "superstitions of the Gentiles" (gentilicia superstitio). New
full scale persecutions against the Gentiles. The Mysteries of Samothrace
are ended and priests slaughtered. In Cyprus the local bishop, "Saints"
Epiphanius and Tychon destroy almost all the Temples of the island and
exterminate thousands of Gentiles. The local Mysteries of Goddess Aphrodite
are ended. Theodosius' edict declares: "The ones that won't obey pater
Epiphanius have no right to keep living on the island". The Gentiles revolt
against the Emperor and the church in Petra, Areopolis, Rafia, Gaza, Baalbek
and other cities of the Middle East.

393
The Pythian Games, the Aktia Games and the Olympic Games are outlawed as
part of the Hellenic "idolatry". Christians sack the Temples of Olympia.

395
Two new edicts (22nd July and 7th August) lead to new persecutions against
the Gentiles. Rufinus, the eunuch Prime Minister of Emperor Flavius Arcadius
directs the hordes of the baptised Goths (led by Alaric) to the country of
the Hellenes. Encouraged by christian monks, the barbarians sack and burn
many cities (Dion, Delphi, Megara, Corinth, Pheneos, Argos, Nemea,
Lycosoura, Sparta, Messene, Phigaleia, Olympia, etc.), slaughter or enslave
innumerable Hellenes and burn the Temples. Among others, they burn down the
Eleusinian Sanctuary and burn alive all of its priests (including the
hierophant of Mithras Hilarius).

396
On 7th December, a new edict by Emperor Arcadius orders that Paganism be
treated as high treason. Imprisonment of the few remaining Pagan priests and
hierophants.

397
"Demolish them!"  Emperor Flavius Arcadius orders all the still erect Pagan
Temples demolished.

398
The Fourth Church Council of Carthage prohibits to all, including its
bishops, the study of Gentile books. Porphyrius, bishop of Gaza, demolishes
almost all the Pagan Temples of his city (except nine of them that remain
active).

399
With a new edict (13th July) Emperor Flavius Arcadius orders all remaining
Temples, mainly in the countryside, to be immediately demolished.

400
Bishop Nicetas destroys the Oracle of the God Dionysus in Vesai and baptises
all the Gentiles of this area.

401
The christian mob of Carthage lynches Gentiles and destroys Temples and
"idols". In Gaza too, the local bishop, also a "Saint", Porphyrius sends his
followers to lynch Gentiles and demolish the remaining nine still active
Temples of the city. The 15th Council of Chalkedon orders all christians
that still keep good relations with their gentile relatives to be
excommunicated (even after their death).

405
John Chrysostom sends his hordes of gray-clad monks armed with clubs and
iron bars to destroy the "idols" in all the cities of Palestine.

406
John Chrysostom collects funds from rich christian women to financially
support the demolition of the Hellenic Temples. In Ephessus, he orders the
destruction of the famous Temple of Goddess Artemis. In Salamis, Cyprus,
"Saints" Epiphanius and Eutychius continue persecutions of the Gentiles and
the total destruction of their Temples and sanctuaries.

407
A new edict outlaws once again all non-christian acts of worship.

408
The Emperor of the Western Empire Honorius and the Emperor of the Eastern
Empire Arcadius, order together that all sculptures of the Pagan Temples be
either destroyed or confiscated. Private ownership of Pagan sculpture is
also outlawed. The local bishops lead new heavy persecutions against
Gentiles and new book burning. Judges showing pity for Gentiles are also
persecuted. "Saint" Augustine massacres hundreds of protesting Pagans in
Calama, Algeria.

409
Once again, an edict orders Astrology and all methods of Divination to be
punished by death.

415
In Alexandria, Egypt, the mob urged by the bishop Cyrillus, attacks a few
days before the judaeo-christian Pascha (Pesach-Easter) and hacks to pieces
the famous and beautiful philosopher Hypatia. Pieces of her body are paraded
by the christian mob through the streets of Alexandria, and are finally
burned together with her books in a place called Cynaron. On 30th August,
new persecutions start against all the Pagan priests of North Africa, who
end their lives either crucified or burned alive.

416
The inquisitor Hypatius, alias "The Sword of God", exterminates the last
Gentiles of Bithynia. In Constantinople (7th December) all non-christian
army officers, public employees and judges are dismissed.

423
Emperor Theodosius the Second, declares (8th June) that the Religion of the
Gentiles is nothing more than "demon worship" and orders all those who
persist in practicing it to be punished by imprisonment and tortured.

429
The Temple of Goddess Athena (Parthenon) on the Acropolis of Athens is
sacked. Athenian Pagans are persecuted.

435
On 14th November, a new edict by Theodosius II orders the death penalty for
all "heretics" and Gentiles of the Empire. Only Judaism is considered a
legal non-christian Religion.

438
Theodosius II issues an new edict (31st January) against the Gentiles,
incriminating their "idolatry" as the reason for a recent plague!

440 to 450
The christians demolish all the monuments, altars and Temples of Athens,
Olympia, and other Greek cities.

448
Theodosius II orders all non-christian books burned.

450
All the Temples of Aphrodisias (City of Goddess Aphrodite) are demolished
and all its libraries burned down. The city is renamed Stauroupolis (City of
the Cross).

451
A new edict by Theodosius II (4th November) emphasises that "idolatry" is to
be punished by death.

457 to 491
Sporadic persecutions against Gentiles of the Eastern Empire. Among others,
the physician Jacobus and the philosopher Gessius are executed. Severianus,
Herestios, Zosimus, Isidorus and others are tortured and imprisoned. The
proselytiser Conon and his followers exterminate the last Gentiles of the
island of Imbros, in the northeast Aegean. The last worshippers of Lavranius
Zeus are exterminated in Cyprus.

482 to 488
The majority of the Gentiles of Asia Minor are exterminated, after a
desperate revolt against the Emperor and the Church.

486
More "underground" Pagan priests are discovered, arrested, burlesqued,
tortured and executed in Alexandria, Egypt.

515
Baptism becomes obligatory, even for those that already say they are
christian. The Emperor of Constantinople, Anastasius orders the massacre of
the Gentiles in the Arabian city Zoara and the demolition of the Temple of
local God Theandrites.

528
Emperor Jutprada (Justinianus) outlaws the "alternative" Olympian Games of
Antioch. He also orders the execution (by fire, crucifixion, tearing to
pieces by wild beasts, or cutting by iron nails) of all who practice
"sorcery, divination, magic or idolatry" and prohibits all teachings by the
Gentiles ("...the ones suffering from the blasphemous insanity of the
Hellenes&quot.

529
Emperor Justinianus outlaws the Athenian Philosophical Academy, which has
its property confiscated.

532
The inquisitor Ioannis Asiacus, a fanatical monk, leads a crusade against
the Gentiles of Asia Minor.

542
Emperor Justinianus allows the inquisitor Ioannis Asiacus to convert the
Gentiles of Phrygia, Caria and Lydia in Asia Minor. Within 35 years of this
crusade, 99 churches and 12 monasteries are built on the sites of demolished
Pagan Temples.

546
Hundreds of Gentiles are put to death in Constantinople by the inquisitor
Ioannis Asiacus.

556
Justinianus orders the notorious inquisitor Amantius to go to Antioch and
arrest, torture and exterminate the last Gentiles of the city and to burn
down all private libraries.

562
Mass arrests, burlesquing, tortures, imprisonments and executions of Gentile
Hellenes in Athens, Antioch, Palmyra and Constantinople.

578 to 582
Christians torture and crucify Gentile Hellenes all around the Eastern
Empire, and exterminate the last Gentiles of Heliopolis (Baalbek).

580
Christian inquisitors attack a secret Temple of Zeus in Antioch. The priest
commits suicide, but the other Gentiles are arrested. All the prisoners, the
Vice Governor Anatolius included, are tortured and sent to Constantinople to
face trial. Sentenced to death they are thrown to the lions. The wild
animals are unwilling to tear them to pieces and they end up crucified.
Their corpses are dragged through the streets by the christian mob and
afterwards thrown unburied in the city dump.

583
New persecutions against the Gentile Hellenes by the Emperor Mauricius.

590
Throughout the Eastern Empire, christian accusers "discover" Pagan
conspiracies. A new wave of torture and executions erupts.

692
The "Penthekto" Council of Constantinople prohibits the remains of Calends,
Brumalia, Anthesteria, and other Pagan / Dionysian festivals.

804
The Gentile Hellenes of Mesa Mani (Cape Tainaron, Lakonia, Greece) resist
successfully the attempt of Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople, to
convert them to christianity.

850 to 860
Violent conversion of the last Gentile Hellenes of Laconia by the Armenian
"Saint" Nikon.