PLINY THE YOUNGER TO TRAJAN [
Pliny the Younger (Plinius Secundus), letter to emperor Trajan, circa A.D. 112 – shows that by A.D. 112, large numbers of people were convinced of the historical life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and voiced these convictions in the face of certain executions. I therefore judged it so much the more necessary to extract the real truth, with the assistance of torture, from two female slaves, who were styled deaconesses; but I could discover nothing more than depraved and excessive superstition. I therefore adjourned the proceedings, and betook myself at once to your counsel. For the matter seemed to me well worth referring to you – especially considering the numbers endangered. Persons of all ranks and ages, and of both sexes are, and will be, involved in the prosecution. For this contagious superstition is not confined to the cities only, but has spread through the villages and rural districts. It seems possible, however, to check and cure…
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