The persecution of Anabaptists was condoned by ancient laws of Theodosius I and Justinian I that were passed against the Donatists, which decreed the death penalty for any who practised rebaptism.
Forfølgelsen af anabaptisterne blev legitimeret af de gamle love indført af Theodosius 1. og Justinian 1. mod donatisterne, som foreskrev dødsdom over alle, der praktiserede gendåb.