Popular Hatred Against Christians: the Case of North Africa in the Second and Third Centuries

Abstract Popular hatred against Christians is often presented as an important factor in the persecutions. This paper argues that where evidence is available, which is the case for North Africa in the second and third centuries, popular hatred does not seem to play a significant role in the processes that led to the executions of Christians. It further suggests that popular hatred against Christians is in large part a construction of the ecclesiastical leadership. They create a context of communal hostility and violence for episodes that do not seem to amount to more than individual executions and thus try to foster a sense of community among Christians.