Il principio di libertà di parola nel giudizio di Gallione su Paolo di Tarso e la coerenza giuridica di Traiano nei processi contro i cristiani

The analysis of the sources shows that since the acquittal of Paulus by Tarsus before the court of Gallio, up to Trajan’s response to Pliny and Adrian’s to Minucius Fundanus, Roman justice has pursued behavior, not opinion. The Christians were condemned for the refusal to sacrifice, which constituted the crimen lesae Romanae religionis. The magistrates demanded respect for pagan orthopraxis, but they did not demand a renunciation of the creed, nor did they prohibit the cult of Christ itself.