However, even after that — Christianity nevertheless continued to expand quite independently of shattered Judaism. This caused the Roman power (quite correctly) to cease regarding Christianity merely as a Jewish sect. Henceforth, Pagan Rome would (correctly) regard Christianity as the ever-expanding nemesis which would challenge and ultimately destroy the very basis even of the mighty Pagan Roman Empire itself.
As soon as Pagan Rome realized this, it was obvious her Emperors would at least sometimes viciously persecute Christianity just because it is Christianity — and viciously persecute Christians just because they are Christians. For Pagan Rome would then rightly regard Christianity as a direct threat to the continuing existence of the Heathen Roman Empire itself.3923
