[Vermont Lt]

That may have been true in Rome, specifically. But in the empire, there is no way they could squash the worship of the local gods. Back then, unless you were in the Big city, the “gods” in favor would change every 100-200 miles in each direction.

[RedStateRocker]

But they didn’t care if you also worshiped the local gods. Not even an issue.

[rollo tomasi]

Emperor Decius ordered everyone (Jews were exempted because their religion was “permitted”) to make a sacrifice to the Roman gods during specific periods and receive an official certificate proving they did from the witnesses appointed by the magistrates. Christians throughout the Empire were executed for refusing or imprisoned until they made the sacrifice. A lot went into hiding, and a lot “took the mark”/signed the libellus right away.