311, on his deathbed, Galerius realized that his attempt to do away with the upstart religion had failed. “Thousands upon thousands of terrified Christians had, to be sure, recanted, but other thousands had stood fast, sealing their faith with their blood.” So eager, in fact, did many Christians prove to suffer for their faith the bishop of Carthage demanded that those who needlessly rushed into martyrdom should not be revered as martyrs. The effect on public opinion throughout the empire was tremendous. “Even the throne could no longer take the risk of continuing the torturing, maiming, and
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