When Constantine returned from the eastern front to Nicomedia in the spring of 303, he witnessed the beginning of Diocletian's "great persecution," the most severe persecution of Christians in Roman history.
Diocletian ordered the destruction of the new church in Nicomedia, the destruction of its writings a ...
Beethoven's death was attended by his friend Anselm Huttenbrenner and probably his sister-in-law, Johanna van Beethoven.
According to Huttenbrenner, around 5 p.m. there was a flash of lightning and thunder: "Beethoven opened his eyes, raised his right hand and looked up for a few seconds with a clenched fist...".