Persecution of Jews in the Roman and Byzantine Empires

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.

In 722, Leo III of Constantinople began the forcible conversion of the Jews.

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