The Edict of Nicomedia AD 303
AD 303, near Nicomedia. The church facing the emperor's palace was torn down in a single night. You are a weaver's daughter, and last spring you were secretly baptised.
Historical background
Diocletian, who ended the crisis of the third century, set up the Tetrarchy to rule the empire in four parts and made Nicomedia in Asia Minor his capital. On 23 February 303, the feast of the Terminalia, his soldiers demolished the church facing the palace, and the next day an edict ordered scriptures burned, churches destroyed and Christians stripped of their privileges. Further edicts imprisoned the clergy, and in 304 every inhabitant was ordered to sacrifice to the gods. Historians believe the Caesar Galerius pushed for the persecution.
The persecution lasted longest in the East. After Diocletian abdicated in 305, Constantine was acclaimed emperor by the army at Eboracum in 306 and defeated Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge in 312. In 313 Constantine and Licinius agreed at Milan to grant freedom of worship (the Edict of Milan), and in 325 the first ecumenical council met at Nicaea, not far from Nicomedia.
Who you are
You begin as a 24-year-old weaver's daughter in a small workshop near Nicaea. You have no land and no troops — only your skill, your Wit and a baptism no one must find out about. Dorothea, a weaver in the same workshop, Marcianus, a palace guard, and Hermilos, who lives by informing, come and go around you.
The current of history: The Great Persecution and the Edict of Milan
An invitation called "The line before the altar" soon arrives. Which side you take when ordered to sacrifice changes your faith, your disposition and how your neighbours see you, through stages that lead on to the acclamation at Eboracum, the Milvian Bridge and the Edict of Milan.
Sides you can take
- The Church's side Do not hide your faith and help the community. The most dangerous path, and the one that can bring the greatest renown.
- Enforce the edict Obey the emperor's orders and stand with order. You gain safety and advancement; what you lose is up to you.
- Quiet protection Sacrifice in public and hide your neighbours in secret. A path of balance.
Tips
Questions and answers
How close is this scenario to real history?
The Great Persecution that began with the destruction of the church at Nicomedia in February 303, Diocletian and Galerius, Constantine's accession in 306, the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312, the Edict of Milan in 313 and the Council of Nicaea in 325 are all historical. The starting map, realms, real historical figures and the major events of the current of history follow actual history. You and the companions, rivals and loves around you are fictional people who could have lived then, and once you start, history may diverge according to your choices and those of the AI rulers.
What station do I start in?
You start as a 24-year-old common woman living near Nicaea, a weaver's daughter. You have no land, and your faith is set as Christian.
Is it free? Can I play right away?
Yes. Crown & Plough is a free browser game with no account and nothing to install. The "Start in this scene" button on this page opens the scenario's intro screen directly, and progress is saved automatically in your browser. It works on phones too.