The fall of Stilicho in 408, led them to hope for a change in imperial policy; however, in 410 Marcellinus was given instructions to "abolish the new superstition".
[5] The orthodox bishops hoped the Donatists would be more susceptible to reasoned debate and petitioned the emperor to call a conference.
According to John T. Noonan, the Donatists alleged that Marcellinus had been bribed as that was a stronger argument than that he was merely enforcing imperial policy.
Noonan views the fact that Augustine and Marcellinus remained close friends as suggesting that the bishop's petition was granted.
General Marinus, who had quashed the rebellion and who had Donatist sympathies, arrested the brothers and put them in prison.
Even with Saint Augustine intervening on their behalf with Caecilian, the presiding judge of their case, the two brothers were executed,[7] on September 13.