Informers
Informers This class of men originated before the Christian sera, and, indeed, before the establishment of the Roman empire. When persecution arose against the Church, the informers naturally sought gain, and probably some credit with the civil authorities, by giving information against those who practiced Christian rites, since the secret assemblies of Christians for worship came under the prohibition of the Lex Julia. Tertullian states (Apol. c. 5) that Tiberius threatened the accusers of the Christians, but the story rests only upon his statement. He also claims M. Aurelius as a protector of Christians. Titus issued an edict, forbidding slaves to inform against their masters or freedmen against their patrons. Nerva, on his accession, republished this edict. "Jewish manners," i.e., probably Christianity, is especially mentioned as one of the subjects on which informations were forbidden. In Pliny's well-known letter to Trajan we find the informers in full work. The Christians who were brought before him were delated, and an anonymous paper was sent in, containing a list of many Christians or supposed Christians. Trajan, in his answer, though he forbade Christians to be sought out (i.e., by government officials), did not attempt to put a stop to the practice of delation; those who were informed against, if they continued in their infatuation must be punished. In the subsequent persecutions a large part of the suffering arose from unfaithful brethren who betrayed their friends. SEE DELATORES.
