y a witness in person at first confessed themselves
Christians, but immediately after denied it: the rest owned indeed
that they had been of that number formerly, but had now (some above
three, others more, and a few above twenty years ago) renounced that
error. They all worshipped your statue and the images of the gods,
uttering imprecations at the same time against the name of Christ.
They affirmed the whole of their guilt, or their error, was, that
they met on a stated day before it was light, and addressed a form
of prayer to Christ, as to a divinity, binding themselves by a
solemn oath, not for the purposes of any wicked design, but never to
commit any fraud, theft, or adultery, never to falsify their word,
nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up;
after which it was their custom to separate, and then re-assemble,
to eat in common a harmless meal. From this custom, however, they
desisted after the publication of my edict, by which, according to
your commands, I forbade the meeting of any assemblies.

After receiving this account, I judged it so much the more necessary
to endeavor to extort the real truth, by putting two female slaves
to the torture, who were said to officiate in their religious rites:
but all I could discover was evidence of an absurd and extravagant
superstition. I deemed it expedient, therefore, to adjourn all
further proceedings, in order to consult you. For it appears to be a
matter highly deserving your consideration, more especially as great
numbers must be involved in the danger of these prosecutions, which
have already extended, and are still likely to extend, to persons of
all ranks and ages, and even of both sexes. In fact, this contagious
superstition is not confined to the cities only, but has spread its
infection among the neighboring villages and country. Nevertheless,
it still seems possible to restrain its progress. The temples, at
least, which were once almost deserted, begin now to be frequented;
and the sacred rites, after a long intermission, are again revived;
while there is a general demand for the victims, which till lately
found very few purchasers. From all this it is easy to conjecture
what numbers might be reclaimed if a general pardon were granted to
those who shall repent of their error.

TRAJAN TO PLINY