The reign of the emperor Diocletian (284−305) marked the final widespread persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. The most intense period of violence came after Diocletian issued an edict in 303 more strictly enforcing adherence to the traditional religious practices of Rome in conjunction with Imperial cult. Modern historians estimate that during this period, known as the Diocletianic or Great Persecution and extending several years beyond the reign of Diocletian, as many as 3,000−3,500 Christians were executed under the authority of Imperial edicts. The church historian Eusebius, a Bishop of Caesarea who lived through both the "Little Peace" of the Church and the Great Persecution, is a major source for identifying Christian martyrs in this period. Martyr narratives flourished later as a genre of Christian literature, but are not contemporary with the persecutions and are often of dubious historicity. This article lists both historical and legendary figures traditionally identified as martyrs during the reign of Diocletian. Martyrs of Palestine The names of the following martyrs are recorded by Eusebius in his work The Martyrs of Palestine: Procopius of Scythopolis, 7 July, 303 Timolaus and Companions, 303 Alphaeus and Zacchaeus, 303 or 304 Romanus of Caesarea, 303 or 304 Aphian, 2 April, 305 Martyrs of Nicomedia In his Church History, Eusebius discusses the martyrdoms at Nicomedia, naming two: Gorgonius of Nicomedia, 304 Anthimus of Nicomedia, 304 Attested in early sources Shmona and Gurya, c.297, as recorded in the Acts of Shmona and of Gurya c.309 Saint Sebastian, c.288, first attested by Ambrose, bishop of Milan 374–397 Euphemia, 303, attested in the Martyrologium Hieronymianum and the Fasti vindobonenses Felix and Adauctus, c.303, attested in the works of Pope Gregory I (late 6th century) and in a miraculous martyrology by Ado in the 9th century that may have drawn on a 4th-century record by Pope Damasus I Agnes of Rome, c.304, recorded by Ambrose Marcellinus and Peter, 304, first recorded by Damasus Others Chrysanthus and Daria, according to the Martyrologium Hieronymianum Nicasius, Quirinus, Scubiculus, and Pientia, according to tradition Castulus and his wife Irene of Rome, according to tradition Mark and Marcellian, according to tradition Saint Tiburtius and Saint Susanna, according to legend Victor of Marseilles, according to tradition Pope Caius, according to legend Gabinus, died c.300, according to tradition Sabinus of Spoleto, c.300, according to tradition Anthony of Antioch, Celsus and Marcionilla, according to tradition Eulalia of Barcelona, February 12, 303,