What does the following about valerian (emperor from ancient rome) mean?
The influence of the Catholic Church among the general population had grown to a point that Emperor Valerian saw them as a threat to his authority as Emperor. To control the situation, he executed or exiled high-ranking Catholics (men of senatorial and equestrian rank) and all Catholic leaders (bishops, priests, and deacons). The action was a failure. Valerian did was create Catholic martyrs and turn more non-Catholics against him.
