Persecution of Jews in the Roman and Byzantine Empires

Constantine's Edict of Milan in the 310s caused Jews to lose many rights and were no longer permitted to live in Jerusalem or to proselytize.

Constantius was a Christian and a Roman Emperor from 337 to 361. He created laws that were beneficial to Christian clergy and limited the rights of the Jews.

During 388, a Christian mob led by a bishop looted and burnt down the synagogue at Callinicum. Ambrose defended the bishop responsible and the Emperor did not punish him.

Leo III of Constantinople in 722 began the forcible conversion of the Jews.

In 1253, Emperor of Nicaea, John Vatatzes, committed legal persecution of the Jews. He ordered that the Jews within the Empire of Nicaea to convert into Christians.