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The fact that this man, who took the lead in this matter, had
succeeded in his purpose was an incitement to all the other officials in
the cities under the same government to prepare a similar memorial.
And the governors of the provinces perceiving that this was agreeable
to the emperor suggested to their subjects that they should do the
same.
And as the tyrant by a rescript declared himself well pleased with
their measures, persecution was kindled anew against us. Priests for
the images were then appointed in the cities, and besides them high
priests by Maximinus himself. The latter were taken from among those
who were most distinguished in public life and had gained celebrity in
all the offices which they had filled; and who were imbued, moreover,
with great zeal for the service of those whom they worshiped. Indeed,
the extraordinary superstition of the emperor, to speak in brief, led
all his subjects, both rulers and private citizens, for the sake of
gratifying him, to do everything against us, supposing that they could
best show their gratitude to him for the benefits which they had
received from him, by plotting murder against us and exhibiting toward
us any new signs of malignity.
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