But who can control an infuriated civil commotion?
The church of Nicomedia was razed to the ground; in retaliation the imperial palace was set on fire, an edict was openly insulted and torn down.

The Christian officers in the army were cashiered; in all directions, martyrdoms and massacres were taking place.

So resistless was the march of events, that not even the emperor himself could stop the persecution.
THE FIRST CHRISTIAN EMPEROR.

It had now become evident that the Christians constituted a powerful party in the state, animated with indignation at the atrocities they had suffered, and determined to endure them no longer.

After the abdication of Diocletian (A.D.