Simplify the following text for a Grade 11 native English-speaking person.
Original: The persecutions that began with an edict of February 24 , 303 , were credited by Christians to Galerius ' work , as he was a fierce advocate of the old ways and old gods .
Simplified: The persecutions that began with an edict of 24 February 303 , were credited by Christians to the influence of Galerius .