There are on record actual cases of withdrawal from or of refusal of induction into the military. Eusebius tells us, for example, of a youth of 21 from Africa, Maximilian by name, who appeared before an African proconsul named Dion for induction into the army. Maximilian refused induction, however, stating simply, "I cannot serve, for I am a Christian." Dion replied sharply, "Get into the service, or it will cost you your life." Maximilian replied, "I do this age no war-service, but I do 'war-service' for my God." No amount of threatening could budge him from his simple confession, "I am a Christian and I cannot do evil.... I shall not perish, but when I have forsaken this world, my soul shall live, with Christ my Lord." The outcome was that on March 12, 295, this young "soldier" of Christ was put to death. Maximilian's father returned home, "giving thanks to God that he had been able to bring such a present to the Lord." Many historians point out that there were numerous cases like that of Maximilian, and venture the suggestion that this may have contributed to the onset of the severe persecution which broke out in 303 and raged for a decade.