Unknown...and probably unknowable. I have seen speculation that xtians made themselves unpopular and attracted the enmity of fellow citizens in much the same way as "witches" did in Europe. The problem with that is that xtians did not become numerous enough to be noticeable until the later 2d century and into the 3d and it was in the 3d century that official persecution did begin on a hit or miss basis. So, yeah, what you are saying is possible but there is not a long time frame for it.
My guess is that most of this shit grew out of the relative handful of executions that were carried out during the reign of Diocletian in the early 4th century and was still fresh in people's minds.
My guess is that most of this shit grew out of the relative handful of executions that were carried out during the reign of Diocletian in the early 4th century and was still fresh in people's minds.
