Christian Persecution Under Emperor Valerian (253–260)
Valerian ruled as emperor for seven years, from 253 to 260. The Roman empire was spinning out of
control, and Valerian blamed Christians for its increasing problems. He seized the property of Christians and ordered them to sacrifice to the pagan gods.
Valerian was killed while fighting the Persians in May 260. His son Gallienus became emperor and stopped the persecutions in the hope of getting the support of eastern Christians against the Persians.