In the early Empire, those who converted to Christianity could lose their standing as honestiores, especially if they declined to fulfil the religious aspects of their civic responsibilities, and thus became subject to punishments that created the conditions of martyrdom.
I det tidlige imperium, kunne de der konverterede til kristendommen mister deres status som honestiores, især hvis de afviste at opfylde de religiøse aspekter af deres samfundsmæssige ansvar, og blev dermed underlagt straffe, som skabte betingelserne for martyrdom.