In general, the Romans were tolerant of religious diversity, and in most cases when they moved into a new area they did not attempt to suppress local religious practices and beliefs. In fact, religion was an important element of cultural exchange in the Roman Empire, with local peoples adopting aspects of Roman religion and the Romans adopting aspects of the belief systems they encountered. Roman toleration had its limits, however. If a local religion seemed to take on a political dimension, or if its followers used their religion as a vehicle for expressing their opposition to Roman rule, it ceased to be a religion in the minds of Roman officials, becoming instead a form of criminality. The two documents included here illustrate the limits of toleration in the context of second-century Christianity. As you read them, think about how Christianity must have appeared to Roman leaders. Why might some Romans have seen Christianity as a genuine threat to Roman society and the Roman state?