Greetings! This past Sabbath we finished our Passover studies by looking at the early ‘church’ history for the Passover. We wanted to see how the post Apostolic ‘Christians’ observed Passover … or didn’t observe it. The key to this subject is what the orthodox church calls “the Eucharist”. The Protestant church calls it “the Lord’s Supper”. Generically it’s called “taking communion” or just “communion”. Also, most of the churches observe Easter instead of Passover. In other words, THE POST-APOSTOLIC CHURCHES SPLIT-UP PASSOVER INTO TWO UNRELATED EVENTS: COMMUNION AND EASTER. Is this what Jesus had in mind? What about his Father?
One of the resources we used to investigate this historical development was Phillip Schaff’s, “History of the Christian Church”. We looked at Volume I. In that amazing work, we came across the historical SOURCES containing the historical data for this subject. Unfortunately, I‘m not going to discuss COMMUNION and EASTER in this blog. I am, however, going to quote in this blog all the relevant SECULAR authorities listed in Shaff, and comment on them. These authorities offer SECULAR OPINION about JESUS and the CHRISTIAN CHURCH. I don’t know about you, but I found their opinions very entertaining and very informative! Let’s see if you agree.
Below is a copy of the relevant pages out of Scahff’s “History …”. Take a look at page 94, last paragraph, “Roman authors of the 1st and 2nd centuries …”.
Emil Schurer’s “A History of the Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ” (5 volume set) has some good intel on Josephus’ texts. You should read it to see what is considered accurate to Josephus and what may be added by a later “Christian” author. It’s summarized above. You gotta remember that Geza Vermes has ‘leavened’ Schurer’s works with his liberal scholarship (a Jew ‘converted’ to Christianity), so BEWARE! Otherwise, Schurer’s works are a fantastic resource!
Incidentally, here’s the text of the letter to Mara (p 92 above) which I got off Wiki:
What else can we say, when the wise are forcibly dragged off by tyrants, their wisdom is captured by insults, and their minds are oppressed and without defense? What advantage did the Athenians gain from murdering Socrates? Famine and plague came upon them as a punishment for their crime. What advantage did the men of Samos gain from burning Pythagoras? In a moment their land was covered with sand. What advantage did the Jews gain from executing their wise king? It was just after that their kingdom was abolished. God justly avenged these three wise men: the Athenians died of hunger; the Samians were overwhelmed by the sea and the Jews, desolate and driven from their own kingdom, live in complete dispersion. But Socrates is not dead, because of Plato; neither is Pythagoras, because of the statue of Juno; nor is the wise king, because of the “new law” he laid down.[5]
Notice the ‘scholars’ have to refute the date of this guy’s letter. It was originally considered to have been written around 73 AD! Very close to Jesus’ life time. But modern scholarship is hell-bent on changing that fact to anywhere between 73 AD and the 3rd century AD. Remember: The further you get from the origin of the subject (Jesus), the less probable the testimony is accurate or authentic. This is typical lawyer tactic on impeaching testimony. Think: the devil (the accuser). Just the idea of raising doubt is enough to discredit sources of testimony. Typical propaganda methodology. The thing to note is that this famous philosopher, who was persecuted and sent to prison for opposing the state (the ones who peddle the propaganda that wise men refute), must have had some good source of information to base his statement on, or else he never would have made it in the first place. Today’s equivalent would be for a research historian or research scientist (not the pseudo-scientists of the establishment propaganda machinery!) to make a public statement about some fact that is based on tenuous testimony or data. They would never do it for fear of ruining their reputation. You have to remember that their livelihood and personal honor are wrapped-up in their HONESTY.
Now let’s quote all of the Roman authors mentioned, so we can get an ancient secular perspective on the matter. But before quoting them I want to say this about THE HISTORICAL JESUS: For the past 100 years or so, the liberal Biblical scholars and the secular intellectuals have evidenced quite a distaste for all things Biblical. They even go as far as to say Jesus was a MYTH and never really existed in human history. What lengths people resort to in order to banish unwanted ideas from their minds! In any case, these quotes should suffice to prove that Jesus was indeed a real human person who lived during the 1st century AD, and Christians are his ‘progeny’ (who were mostly Jews first, and then non-Jews). It’s important to know that the gospel accounts are the BEST EVIDENCE we have of what actually transpired ABOUT Jesus during his lifetime. Even the liberal scholars admit that. If they didn’t, how could they make a living?? So much for MYTHS!
Tacitus, Annales, 1.15.44 (Emphasis added)
Such indeed were the precautions of human wisdom. The next thing was to seek means of propitiating the gods, and recourse was had to the Sibylline books, by the direction of which prayers were offered to Vulcanus, Ceres, and Proserpina. Juno, too, was entreated by the matrons, first, in the Capitol, then on the nearest part of the coast, whence water was procured to sprinkle the fane and image of the goddess. And there were sacred banquets and nightly vigils celebrated by married women. But all human efforts, all the lavish gifts of the emperor, and the propitiations of the gods, did not banish the sinister belief that the conflagration was the result of an order. Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judæa, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.
Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle, and was exhibiting a show in the circus, while he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer or stood aloft on a car. Hence, even for criminals who deserved extreme and exemplary punishment, there arose a feeling of compassion; for it was not, as it seemed, for the public good, but to glut one man’s cruelty, that they were being destroyed.
(Complete Works of Tacitus. Tacitus. Alfred John Church. William Jackson Brodribb. Sara Bryant. edited for Perseus. New York. : Random House, Inc. Random House, Inc. reprinted 1942.) (Emphasis added)
COMMENTS: Note how the Emperor Nero calls the Christians an ABOMINATION. LOL! That’s the term YHWH uses against the GENTILES, such as Nero is:
24 ‘Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled. 25 For the land has become defiled, therefore I have brought its punishment upon it, so the land has spewed out its inhabitants. 26 But as for you, you are to keep My statutes and My judgments and shall not do any of these abominations, neither the native, nor the alien who sojourns among you 27 (for the men of the land who have been before you have done all these abominations, and the land has become defiled); 28 so that the land will not spew you out, should you defile it, as it has spewed out the nation which has been before you. 29 For whoever does any of these abominations, those persons who do so shall be cut off from among their people. 30 Thus you are to keep My charge, that you do not practice any of the abominable customs which have been practiced before you, so as not to defile yourselves with them; I am the Lord your God.’” (Leviticus 18)
25 The graven images of their gods you are to burn with fire; you shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, or you will be snared by it, for it is an abomination to the Lord your God. 26 You shall not bring an abomination into your house, and like it come under the ban; you shall utterly detest it and you shall utterly abhor it, for it is something banned. (Deuteronomy 7)
24 There were also male cult prostitutes in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord dispossessed before the sons of Israel. (1 Kings 14:24)
This contrast points out the ETHNOCENTRISM of human rulers. Believe me when I tell you that it’s TYPICAL of them. They’re arrogant men who must obviously be drunk on power or delusional in their estimation of their importance. Who do you think is God? YHWH or Nero? Here’s a clue: YHWH is ETERNAL, but Nero is MORTAL (where is he today?).
It’s historically well known that the Christians lived according to the strict moral law (God’s law according to Moses, not the rabbis) during Nero’s time. There was a great schism between Christians and Jews, and a lot of violence was perpetrated against the Christians by the Jews at that time. These Jews caused a lotta trouble for Rome, whether through their constant violent rebellions against Roman ‘authority’, or through their violent persecutions of Christians. The Jews figured they had the right to rebel by reason of being “God’s people”. They considered themselves superior to all other humans on the planet. Talk about ETHNOCENTRISM?!
Next, the historian gives a summary account of Jesus’ identity and execution, as well as the profound reputation and affect that Christians had in Rome. It’s interesting that Nero considered Christianity to be a “superstition”! He must’ve been referring to their ideas, because the historian had already established the reality of the “historical Jesus”. Here again we see the ETHNOCENTRISM of the Roman rulers, based on their IDEOLOGIES. Apparently they considered their LAWS, CUSTOMS and SOCIAL NORMS of greater authority and importance than YHWH’s and Jesus’. Sound familiar? Talk about ARROGANCE. David has a lot to say about this in Psalms, and it’s not very nice!
Effectively, this little historical tidbit establishes the fact that Jesus was a real person, who lived during known human history, who had substantial connections to the political events and personages of his time, and that Christians were well known throughout the Roman empire as a substantial ‘subculture’, especially in Rome, whose existence came about as a result of a personage called JESUS. Judging by the historian’s comments, Rome must have been a lot like NYC is today! Apparently, Tacitus considers the “historical Jesus” alive and well (so to speak). The near proximity of Christians to Jesus in this account gives credence to their origins near the time of “the historical Jesus”.
Tacitus, History, 5.3-5
A.D. 70. EARLY in this year Titus Cæsar, who had been selected by his father to complete the subjugation of Judæa, and who had gained distinction as a soldier while both were still subjects, began to rise in power and reputation, as armies and provinces emulated each other in their attachment to him. The young man himself, anxious to be thought superior to his station, was ever displaying his gracefulness and his energy in war. By his courtesy and affability he called forth a willing obedience, and he often mixed with the common soldiers, while working or marching, without impairing his dignity as general. He found in Judæa three legions, the 5th, the 10th, and the 15th, all old troops of Vespasian’s. To these he added the 12th from Syria, and some men belonging to the 18th and 3rd, whom he had withdrawn from Alexandria. This force was accompanied by twenty cohorts of allied troops and eight squadrons of cavalry, by the two kings Agrippa and Sohemus, by the auxiliary forces of king Antiochus, by a strong contingent of Arabs, who hated the Jews with the usual hatred of neighbours, and, lastly, by many persons brought from the capital and from Italy by private hopes of securing the yet unengaged affections of the Prince. With this force Titus entered the enemy’s territory, preserving strict order on his march, reconnoitring every spot, and always ready to give battle. At last he encamped near Jerusalem.
As I am about to relate the last days of a famous city, it seems appropriate to throw some light on its origin. Some say that the Jews were fugitives from the island of Crete, who settled on the nearest coast of Africa about the time when Saturn was driven from his throne by the power of Jupiter. Evidence of this is sought in the name. There is a famous mountain in Crete called Ida; the neighbouring tribe, the Idæi, came to be called Judæi by a barbarous lengthening of the national name. Others assert that in the reign of Isis the overflowing population of Egypt, led by Hierosolymus and Judas, discharged itself into the neighbouring countries. Many, again, say that they were a race of Ethiopian origin, who in the time of king Cepheus were driven by fear and hatred of their neighbours to seek a new dwelling-place. Others describe them as an Assyrian horde who, not having sufficient territory, took possession of part of Egypt, and founded cities of their own in what is called the Hebrew country, lying on the borders of Syria. Others, again, assign a very distinguished origin to the Jews, alleging that they were the Solymi, a nation celebrated in the poems of Homer, who called the city which they founded Hierosolyma after their own name.
Most writers, however, agree in stating that once a disease, which horribly disfigured the body, broke out over Egypt; that king Bocchoris, seeking a remedy, consulted the oracle of Hammon, and was bidden to cleanse his realm, and to convey into some foreign land this race detested by the gods. The people, who had been collected after diligent search, finding themselves left in a desert, sat for the most part in a stupor of grief, till one of the exiles, Moyses by name, warned them not to look for any relief from God or man, forsaken as they were of both, but to trust to themselves, taking for their heaven-sent leader that man who should first help them to be quit of their present misery. They agreed, and in utter ignorance began to advance at random. Nothing, however, distressed them so much as the scarcity of water, and they had sunk ready to perish in all directions over the plain, when a herd of wild asses was seen to retire from their pasture to a rock shaded by trees. Moyses followed them, and, guided by the appearance of a grassy spot, discovered an abundant spring of water. This furnished relief. After a continuous journey for six days, on the seventh they possessed themselves of a country, from which they expelled the inhabitants, and in which they founded a city and a temple.
Moyses, wishing to secure for the future his authority over the nation, gave them a novel form of worship, opposed to all that is practised by other men. Things sacred with us, with them have no sanctity, while they allow what with us is forbidden. In their holy place they have consecrated an image of the animal by whose guidance they found deliverance from their long and thirsty wanderings. They slay the ram, seemingly in derision of Hammon, and they sacrifice the ox, because the Egyptians worship it as Apis. They abstain from swine’s flesh, in consideration of what they suffered when they were infected by the leprosy to which this animal is liable. By their frequent fasts they still bear witness to the long hunger of former days, and the Jewish bread, made without leaven, is retained as a memorial of their hurried seizure of corn. We are told that the rest of the seventh day was adopted, because this day brought with it a termination of their toils; after a while the charm of indolence beguiled them into giving up the seventh year also to inaction. But others say that it is an observance in honour of Saturn, either from the primitive elements of their faith having been transmitted from the Idæi, who are said to have shared the flight of that God, and to have founded the race, or from the circumstance that of the seven stars which rule the destinies of men Saturn moves in the highest orbit and with the mightiest power, and that many of the heavenly bodies complete their revolutions and courses in multiples of seven.
This worship, however introduced, is upheld by its antiquity; all their other customs, which are at once perverse and disgusting, owe their strength to their very badness. The most degraded out of other races, scorning their national beliefs, brought to them their contributions and presents. This augmented the wealth of the Jews, as also did the fact, that among themselves they are inflexibly honest and ever ready to shew compassion, though they regard the rest of mankind with all the hatred of enemies. They sit apart at meals, they sleep apart, and though, as a nation, they are singularly prone to lust, they abstain from intercourse with foreign women; among themselves nothing is unlawful. Circumcision was adopted by them as a mark of difference from other men. Those who come over to their religion adopt the practice, and have this lesson first instilled into them, to despise all gods, to disown their country, and set at nought parents, children, and brethren. Still they provide for the increase of their numbers. It is a crime among them to kill any newly-born infant. They hold that the souls of all who perish in battle or by the hands of the executioner are immortal. Hence a passion for propagating their race and a contempt for death. They are wont to bury rather than to burn their dead, following in this the Egyptian custom; they bestow the same care on the dead, and they hold the same belief about the lower world. Quite different is their faith about things divine. The Egyptians worship many animals and images of monstrous form; the Jews have purely mental conceptions of Deity, as one in essence. They call those profane who make representations of God in human shape out of perishable materials. They believe that Being to be supreme and eternal, neither capable of representation, nor of decay. They therefore do not allow any images to stand in their cities, much less in their temples. This flattery is not paid to their kings, nor this honour to our Emperors. From the fact, however, that their priests used to chant to the music of flutes and cymbals, and to wear garlands of ivy, and that a golden vine was found in the temple, some have thought that they worshipped Father Liber, the conqueror of the East, though their institutions do not by any means harmonize with the theory; for Liber established a festive and cheerful worship, while the Jewish religion is tasteless and mean.
Eastward the country is bounded by Arabia; to the south lies Egypt; on the west are Phœnicia and the Mediterranean. Northward it commands an extensive prospect over Syria. The inhabitants are healthy and able to bear fatigue. Rain is uncommon, but the soil is fertile. Its products resemble our own. They have, besides, the balsam-tree and the palm. The palm-groves are tall and graceful. The balsam is a shrub; each branch, as it fills with sap, may be pierced with a fragment of stone or pottery. If steel is employed, the veins shrink up. The sap is used by physicians. Libanus is the principal mountain, and has, strange to say, amidst these burning heats, a summit shaded with trees and never deserted by its snows. The same range supplies and sends forth the stream of the Jordan. This river does not discharge itself into the sea, but flows entire through two lakes, and is lost in the third. This is a lake of vast circumference; it resembles the sea, but is more nauseous in taste; it breeds pestilence among those who live near by its noisome odour; it cannot be moved by the wind, and it affords no home either to fish or water-birds. These strange waters support what is thrown upon them, as on a solid surface, and all persons, whether they can swim or no, are equally buoyed up by the waves. At a certain season of the year the lake throws up bitumen, and the method of collecting it has been taught by that experience which teaches all other arts. It is naturally a fluid of dark colour; when vinegar is sprinkled upon it, it coagulates and floats upon the surface. Those whose business it is take it with the hand, and draw it on to the deck of the boat; it then continues of itself to flow in and lade the vessel till the stream is cut off. Nor can this be done by any instrument of brass or iron. It shrinks from blood or any cloth stained by the menstrua of women. Such is the account of old authors; but those who know the country say that the bitumen moves in heaving masses on the water, that it is drawn by hand to the shore, and that there, when dried by the evaporation of the earth and the power of the sun, it is cut into pieces with axes and wedges just as timber or stone would be.
Not far from this lake lies a plain, once fertile, they say, and the site of great cities, but afterwards struck by lightning and consumed. Of this event, they declare, traces still remain, for the soil, which is scorched in appearance, has lost its productive power. Everything that grows spontaneously, as well as what is planted by hand, either when the leaf or flower have been developed, or after maturing in the usual form, becomes black and rotten, and crumbles into a kind of dust. I am ready to allow, on the one hand, that cities, once famous, may have been consumed by fire from heaven, while, on the other, I imagine that the earth is infected by the exhalations of the lake, that the surrounding air is tainted, and that thus the growth of harvest and the fruits of autumn decay under the equally noxious influences of soil and climate. The river Belus also flows into the Jewish sea. About its mouth is a kind of sand which is collected, mixed with nitre, and fused into glass. This shore is of limited extent, but furnishes an inexhaustible supply to the exporter.
A great part of Judæa consists of scattered villages. They have also towns. Jerusalem is the capital. There stood a temple of immense wealth. First came the city with its fortifications, then the royal palace, then, within the innermost defences, the temple itself. Only the Jew might approach the gates; all but priests were forbidden to pass the threshold. While the East was under the sway of the Assyrians, the Medes, and the Persians, Jews were the most contemptible of the subject tribes. When the Macedonians became supreme, King Antiochus strove to destroy the national superstition, and to introduce Greek civilization, but was prevented by his war with the Parthians from at all improving this vilest of nations; for at this time the revolt of Arsaces had taken place. The Macedonian power was now weak, while the Parthian had not yet reached its full strength, and, as the Romans were still far off, the Jews chose kings for themselves. Expelled by the fickle populace, and regaining their throne by force of arms, these princes, while they ventured on the wholesale banishment of their subjects, on the destruction of cities, on the murder of brothers, wives, and parents, and the other usual atrocities of despots, fostered the national superstition by appropriating the dignity of the priesthood as the support of their political power.
Cneius Pompeius was the first of our countrymen to subdue the Jews. Availing himself of the right of conquest, he entered the temple. Thus it became commonly known that the place stood empty with no similitude of gods within, and that the shrine had nothing to reveal. The walls of Jerusalem were destroyed, the temple was left standing. After these provinces had fallen, in the course of our civil wars, into the hands of Marcus Antonius, Pacorus, king of the Parthians, seized Judæa. He was slain by Publius Ventidius, and the Parthians were driven back over the Euphrates.
Caius Sosius reduced the Jews to subjection. The royal power, which had been bestowed by Antony on Herod, was augmented by the victorious Augustus. On Herod’s death, one Simon, without waiting for the approbation of the Emperor, usurped the title of king. He was punished by Quintilius Varus then governor of Syria, and the nation, with its liberties curtailed, was divided into three provinces under the sons of Herod. Under Tiberius all was quiet. But when the Jews were ordered by Caligula to set up his statue in the temple, they preferred the alternative of war. The death of the Emperor put an end to the disturbance. The kings were either dead, or reduced to insignificance, when Claudius entrusted the province of Judæa to the Roman Knights or to his own freedmen, one of whom, Antonius Felix, indulging in every kind of barbarity and lust, exercised the power of a king in the spirit of a slave. He had married Drusilla, the granddaughter of Antony and Cleopatra, and so was the grandson-in-law, as Claudius was the grandson, of Antony.
Yet the endurance of the Jews lasted till Gessiua Florus was procurator. In his time the war broke out. Cestius Gallus, legate of Syria, who attempted to crush it, had to fight several battles, generally with ill-success. Cestius dying, either in the course of nature, or from vexation, Vespasian was sent by Nero, and by help of his good fortune, his high reputation, and his excellent subordinates, succeeded within the space of two summers in occupying with his victorious army the whole of the level country and all the cities, except Jerusalem. The following year had been wholly taken up with civil strife, and had passed, as far as the Jews were concerned, in inaction. Peace having been established in Italy, foreign affairs were once more remembered. Our indignation was heightened by the circumstance that the Jews alone had not submitted. At the same time it was held to be more expedient, in reference to the possible results and contingencies of the new reign, that Titus should remain with the army.
Accordingly he pitched his camp, as I have related, before the walls of Jerusalem, and displayed his legions in order of battle. The Jews formed their line close under their walls whence, if successful, they might venture to advance, and where, if repulsed, they had a refuge at hand. The cavalry with some light infantry was sent to attack them, and fought without any decisive result. Shortly afterwards the enemy retreated. During the following days they fought a series of engagements in front of the gates, till they were driven within the walls by continual defeats. The Romans then began to prepare for an assault. It seemed beneath them to await the result of famine. The army demanded the more perilous alternative, some prompted by courage, many by sheer ferocity and greed of gain. Titus himself had Rome with all its wealth and pleasures before his eyes. Jerusalem must fall at once, or it would delay his enjoyment of them. But the commanding situation of the city had been strengthened by enormous works which would have been a thorough defence even for level ground. Two hills of great height were fenced in by walls which had been skilfully obliqued or bent inwards, in such a manner that the flank of an assailant was exposed to missiles. The rock terminated in a precipice; the towers were raised to a height of sixty feet, where the hill lent its aid to the fortifications, where the ground fell, to a height of one hundred and twenty. They had a marvellous appearance, and to a distant spectator seemed to be of uniform elevation. Within were other walls surrounding the palace, and, rising to a conspicuous height, the tower Antonia, so called by Herod, in honour of Marcus Antonius.
The temple resembled a citadel, and had its own walls, which were more laboriously constructed than the others. Even the colonnades with which it was surrounded formed an admirable outwork. It contained an inexhaustible spring; there were subterranean excavations in the hill, and tanks and cisterns for holding rain water. The founders of the state had foreseen that frequent wars would result from the singularity of its customs, and so had made every provision against the most protracted siege. After the capture of their city by Pompey, experience and apprehension taught them much. Availing themselves of the sordid policy of the Claudian era to purchase the right of fortification, they raised in time of peace such walls as were suited for war. Their numbers were increased by a vast rabble collected from the overthrow of the other cities. All the most obstinate rebels had escaped into the place, and perpetual seditions were the consequence. There were three generals, and as many armies. Simon held the outer and larger circuit of walls. John, also called Bargioras, occupied the middle city. Eleazar had fortified the temple. John and Simon were strong in numbers and equipment, Eleazar in position. There were continual skirmishes, surprises, and incendiary fires, and a vast quantity of corn was burnt. Before long John sent some emissaries, who, under pretence of sacrificing, slaughtered Eleazar and his partisans, and gained possession of the temple. The city was thus divided between two factions, till, as the Romans approached, war with the foreigner brought about a reconciliation.
Prodigies had occurred, which this nation, prone to superstition, but hating all religious rites, did not deem it lawful to expiate by offering and sacrifice. There had been seen hosts joining battle in the skies, the fiery gleam of arms, the temple illuminated by a sudden radiance from the clouds. The doors of the inner shrine were suddenly thrown open, and a voice of more than mortal tone was heard to cry that the Gods were departing. At the same instant there was a mighty stir as of departure. Some few put a fearful meaning on these events, but in most there was a firm persuasion, that in the ancient records of their priests was contained a prediction of how at this very time the East was to grow powerful, and rulers, coming from Judæa, were to acquire universal empire. These mysterious prophecies had pointed to Vespasian and Titus, but the common people, with the usual blindness of ambition, had interpreted these mighty destinies of themselves, and could not be brought even by disasters to believe the truth. I have heard that the total number of the besieged, of every age and both sexes, amounted to six hundred thousand. All who were able bore arms, and a number, more than proportionate to the population, had the courage to do so. Men and women showed equal resolution, and life seemed more terrible than death, if they were to be forced to leave their country. Such was this city and nation; and Titus Cæsar, seeing that the position forbad an assault or any of the more rapid operations of war, determined to proceed by earthworks and covered approaches. The legions had their respective duties assigned to them, and there was a cessation from fighting, till all the inventions, used in ancient warfare, or devised by modern ingenuity for the reduction of cities, were constructed.
(Complete Works of Tacitus. Tacitus. Alfred John Church. William Jackson Brodribb. Sara Bryant. edited for Perseus. New York. : Random House, Inc. Random House, Inc. 1873. reprinted 1942.)
COMMENTS: Although this doesn’t have any info on Jesus, I included it for those who know Israel’s history from a Christian perspective (i.e., as an ‘insider’). Thus we have an entertaining “History of the Jews” up till the time of the Maccabees. So much for an accurate secular perspective on the customs of Israel!
Notice the Roman custom of INFANTICIDE: “It is a crime among them to kill any newly-born infant.” Today’s Christians call that “the right to life”. YHWH considers INFANTICIDE an ABOMINATION (the worst possible kind of sin): “But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and even made his son pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had driven out from before the sons of Israel.” (2 Kings 16:3); and “You slaughtered My children and offered them up to idols by causing them to pass through the fire.” (Ezekiel 16:21).
Apparently, INFANTICIDE was ‘usual and customary’ practice in Rome for many generations. It was LEGISLATED INTO LAW so that people who opposed it were PUNISHED, because the ‘god’, the Emperor, so decreed it. Just recently the criminal legislators in America have attempted to pass these same ABOMINATIONS into law! These seditious political agitators and nation destroyers call this “MY BODY, MY CHOICE”. Great marketing strategy! But how absurd. This is the ultimate ‘soft coup’ on REVERSAL OF GOD-GIVEN RIGHTS here in America.
In case you don’t know, America was built on the foundation of humanity’s GOD-GIVEN RIGHTS. The SOLE PURPOSE for government is to PROTECT THOSE RIGHTS. You can read it in the Declaration of Independence, which is America’s CHARTER STATEMENT. It’s also enshrined in the federal and several states’ Constitutions. But apparently the moderns have other ideas, which obviously are NOT lawful (at least according to the FUNDAMENTAL LAW). I talk about our RIGHTS are your DUTIES towards God in another blog. That’s what America is all about, not SIN and ABOMINATIONS to serve feelings and pleasures. The apostle Paul calls that “the lusts of your flesh”.
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. (Ephesians 2: 1-3)
He says that people who practice such things will GO TO HELL.
Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
I NEVER would’a thought we’d see “the lusts of your flesh’ legislated right here in America. And to think: The CHURCHES are all SOUND ASLEEP while these abominations are established right in front of their eyes! Actually, they’ve been bribed into it, as we saw in a previous blog. The bottom line on this is: YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO DO WRONG. That’s why they are called WRONGS instead of RIGHTS. Duh! “There will be hell to pay” on Judgment Day for all of this, no doubt.
Note also the Roman custom of IDOLATRY (the unpardonable sin!), which, as you saw above, involves other ABOMINATIONS (unpardonable sins):
Quite different is their faith about things divine. The Egyptians worship many animals and images of monstrous form; the Jews have purely mental conceptions of Deity, as one in essence. They call those profane who make representations of God in human shape out of perishable materials. They believe that Being to be supreme and eternal, neither capable of representation, nor of decay. They therefore do not allow any images to stand in their cities, much less in their temples. This flattery is not paid to their kings, nor this honour to our Emperors.
Ha! The Romans call Emperor worship “flattery”. How absurd! Emperor worship is nothing less than IDOLATRY, which is raising man-made rules to the level of GOD’S LAW, which it ain’t, never was, and never will be. Talk about ARROGANCE AGAINST GOD! As shown in previous blogs, IDOLATRY is the reason YHWH expelled Israel from their land THREE TIMES. Why? Because their government and the people of their society practiced these ABOMINATIONS. Since they haven’t yet learned to NOT do such evils, they haven’t yet returned to their land UNDER YHWH’s rule. That’s for a future time when Jesus returns to save them. How ironic that the man the Jews murdered, according to Tacitus, Seutonius, and Josephus, will be their future political deliverer!
I got a kick outta how the historian describes Felix:
Claudius entrusted the province of Judæa to the Roman Knights or to his own freedmen, one of whom, Antonius Felix, indulging in every kind of barbarity and lust, exercised the power of a king in the spirit of a slave. He had married Drusilla, the granddaughter of Antony and Cleopatra, and so was the grandson-in-law, as Claudius was the grandson, of Antony.
Compare that with this:
24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.” 26 At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned. (Acts 24)
Ya gotta love the variant perspectives of these ‘recorders’! It’s quite informative, don’t you think?
Suetonius, Vita Claudii, 25
He banished from Rome all the Jews, who were continually making disturbances at the instigation of one Chrestus. (N5)
N5: Suetonius has already, in TIBERIUS, C. xxxvi., mentioned the expulsion of the Jews from Rome, and this passage confirms the conjecture, offered in the note, that the Christians were obscurely alluded to in the former notice. The antagonism between Christianity and Judaism appears to have given rise to the tumults which first led the authorities to interfere. Thus much we seem to learn from both passages: but the most enlightened men of that age were singularly ill-informed on the stupendous events which had recently occurred in Judea, and we find Suetonius, although he lived at the commencement of the first century of the Christian area, when the memory of these occurrences was still fresh, and it might be supposed, by that time, widely diffused, transplanting Christ from Jerusalem to Rome, and placing him in the time of Claudius, although the crucifixion took place during the reign of Tiberius. St. Luke, Acts xviii. 2, mentions the expulsion of the Jews from Rome by the emperor Claudius: Dio, however, says that he did not expel them, but only forbad their religious assemblies. It was very natural for Suetonius to write Chrestus instead of Christus, as the former was a name in use among the Greeks and Romans. Among others, Cicero mentions a person of that name in his Fam. Ep. ii. 8.
(Suetonius: The Lives of the Twelve Caesars; An English Translation, Augmented with the Biographies of Contemporary Statesmen, Orators, Poets, and Other Associates. Suetonius. Publishing Editor. J. Eugene Reed. Alexander Thomson. Philadelphia. Gebbie & Co. 1889.)
COMMENTS: One has to love this history, incapable of distinguishing between Jews and Christians. Note how the historian mix-matches Jesus with the Jews!
He banished from Rome all the Jews, who were continually making disturbances at the instigation of one Chrestus.
From other ancient historians, we DO know that the Jews “were continually making disturbances” in every nation they lived. It wasn’t the Christians, because the Christians followed Jesus’ teachings of non-violence against the government, which includes SEDITION and SUBTERFUGE. But, since the first Christians were Jews, and since all the first “churches” obeyed God’s law (the Mosaic law) like Jews supposedly did, the Roman authorities really didn’t see any difference between the two, apparently.
And as the note says, “Chrestus” is the founder of Christianity: CHRIST (i.e., JESUS). This is the same guy “the Jews” EXECUTED. So we see again an affirmation of the “historical Jesus” in this historical account.
I had to laugh, as an ‘insider’ when reading this historian associating Jesus and his people (the Christians) with revolutionary activity. I seriously doubt Jesus was the founder of a revolutionary sect, JEWISH or otherwise! And I seriously doubt the Jews would name Jesus as their political leader! Although, knowing how these Jews were at stirring up political strife everywhere, both internally and externally, one has to wonder if they ‘influenced’ Roman public officials to blame all the Jewish uprisings on the peaceable leader of the Christians, AKA: Christ (“Chrestus”)? I wouldn’t put it past them!
Suetonius, Vita Neronis, 16 (Emphasis added)
He devised a new style of building in the city, ordering piazzas to be erected before all houses both in the streets and detached, to give facilities from their terraces, in case of fire, for preventing it from spreading; and these he built at his own expense. He likewise designed to extend the city walls as far as Ostia, and bring the sea from thence by a canal into the old city. Many severe regulations and new orders were made in his time. A sumptuary law was enacted. Public suppers were limited to the Sportulae; (N1) and victualling-houses restrained from selling any dressed victuals, except pulse and herbs, whereas before they sold all kinds of meat. He likewise inflicted punishments on the Christians, a sort of people who held a new and impious (N2) superstition. He forbad the revels of the charioteers, who had long assumed a licence to stroll about, and established for themselves a kind of prescriptive right to cheat and thieve, making a jest of it. The partisans of the rival theatrical performers were banished, as well as the actors themselves. (Emphasis added)
N1: The Sportulae were small wicker baskets, in which victuals or money were carried. The word was in consequence applied to the public entertainments at which food was distributed, or money given in lieu of it.
N2: “”Superstitionis novae et maleficae,”” are the words of Suetonius; the latter conveying the idea of witchcraft or enchantment. Suidas relates that a certain martyr cried out from his dungeon “Ye have loaded me with fetters as a sorcerer and profane person.” Tacitus calls the Christian religion “a foreign and deadly [exitiabiis] superstition,” Annal. xiii. 32; Pliny, in his celebrated letter to Trajan, “a depraved, wicked (orprava), and outrageous superstition.” EPist. x. 97.
Tacitus also describes the excruciating torments inflicted on the Roman Christians by Nero. He says that they were subjected to the derision of the people; dressed in the skins of wild beasts, and exposed to be torn to pieces by dogs in the public games, that they were crucified, or condemned to be burnt; and at night-fall served in place of lamps to lighten the darkness, Nero’s own gardens being used for the spectacle. Annal. xv. 44.
Traditions of the church place the martyrdoms of SS Peter and Paul at Rome, under the reign of Nero. The legends are given by Ordericus Vitalis. See vol. i. of the edition in the Antiq. Lib. pp. 206, etc., with the notes and reference to the apocryphal works on which they are founded.
(Suetonius: The Lives of the Twelve Caesars; An English Translation, Augmented with the Biographies of Contemporary Statesmen, Orators, Poets, and Other Associates. Suetonius. Publishing Editor. J. Eugene Reed. Alexander Thomson. Philadelphia. Gebbie & Co. 1889.)
COMMENTS: Again, not any mention of Jesus, but definitely another entertaining display of ethnocentrism at the expense of Christians (Jesus’ people)! When you study world religion and government, you can’t help but notice the wide variety of nationalist fervors. From a Biblical perspective, one has to wonder how anybody can achieve any kind of international unity and peace when all the nations’ egos are so utterly massive, that there’s only room for ONE OF THEM! Consider the United Nations, and laugh. Obviously that organization exists for purposes other than “world peace”!
In contrast, the whole point of “the gospel” (as Martin Luther popularized the term), is for God to unite all nations under HIS RULE, according to HIS LAW, by them giving their sole and undivided allegiance to HIM, regardless of one’s country of origin, one’s language or one’s social customs. Considering the SELF-GOVERNMENT involved with Biblical Christianity, in contrast to the violent, shove-it-down-your-throat MILITARY-POLICE HEGEMONIES of the nations (including modern America!), one has to wonder how anybody would NOT want to become a part of the Christian “tribe”?? It sure is a much more reasonable and peaceable pathway to happiness than the ways of this world, don’t you think? And it sure is quite a different world-view than we see among the nations of the world today, including modern Zionist Israel with their “holy wars” against all their enemies (especially the Palestinians), conducted by their cherished military-police state for weapons testing.
Incidentally, the 2nd Temple political leaders convicted Jesus of SORCERY, which is the capital crime they executed him for. I talked about this in a previous blog (see David Brewer’s article). It’s possible that Rome knew of those charges and merely transferred them to all Christians as GUILT BY ASSOCIATION with Jesus. Who knows? Would make a good study for some scholar, instead of the anti-Bible, Jesus-myth garbage they peddle these days, eh?
Plinius, Junius, Epistles, X, 96 & 97 (Richard Hooper tr.)
GAIUS PLINIUS TO THE EMPEROR TRAJAN:
I consider it, master, a duty to consult with you on all matters concerning which I have experienced any doubts. For who can better direct my hesitation or instruct my ignorance?
I have never taken part in an investigation of the Christians; thus I do not know how or to what extent they should be punished or examined. Nor have the following points caused me inconsequential uncertainties: should age make some difference, or should there be no distinction between the youngest and the more mature; should clemency be granted to repentance, or should it be of no benefit to one who has wholeheartedly been a Christian to have ceased; should the name of Christian itself, if without offense, or should the offenses necessarily attaching to the name be punished?
Meanwhile against those who have been denounced to me as Christians this is the policy I have followed: I asked them if they were Christians. Those who concurred I asked a second and a third time with threats of capital punishment. Those who persevered I ordered to be handed over. For I had no doubt, whatever they were confessing, that stubbornness and inflexible obstinacy should be punished.
There were others exhibiting similar mental instability whom, because they were Roman citizens, I directed to be sent on to Rome. Presently as a result of this very procedure—as often happens—the accusations becoming more prevalent, several varieties have come to light.
An anonymous list was posted containing the names of many people. Those who denied that they were or had been Christians I thought should be dismissed, if they first invoked the gods in my presence and sacrificed with incense and wine to your image (which I had ordered to be brought forward for this purpose together with the statues of the gods) and moreover cursed Christ, which those who are truly Christians can, it is said, in no way be forced to do. Others named in the list admitted that they had been Christians but presently denied it; they had been once, but had given it up, some three years since, others several years ago, one even twenty years ago. All of these also worshipped your image and the statues of the gods and cursed Christ.
However, they insisted that this was the sum of their fault and error, that they were accustomed to convene of a given day before dawn and sing a hymn antiphonally to Christ as if to a god, and to bind themselves by oath not for the purpose of some crime, but so as not to commit theft, or brigandage, or adultery, or to betray an oath, or to withhold something held in trust. It was thereupon their custom to disperse and to join together again to breakfast, but on common and harmless food.
They had even ceased doing this since my edict which, in accordance with your orders, forbade secret societies. I am all the more inclined to believe this since, in search of the truth, I tortured two of their serving girls—whom they call “deaconesses” (ministrae). I found nothing other than perverse and immoderate superstition.
I have therefore suspended my investigations and turned to you for advise. It seems to me that the affair is worthy of your notice, especially because of the number of those endangered; for many of every age, or every rank, and of either sex are called and will be called into danger. The contagion of that superstition has infected not only the cities, but the villages and farms as well, though I believe it can be halted and corrected. Certainly it is generally agreed that the all but deserted temples have once again begun to be filled and that the long interrupted sacred ceremonies are being performed and that the victims are being fattened, for which hitherto only an occasional buyer could be found.
From which circumstance one may surmise that the common throng of humanity can be improved if only given an opportunity for repentance.
TRAJAN TO PLINY
My dear Secundus, you have acted as you should in conducting the trials of those denounced to you as Christians. Indeed, no form could be devised which could be considered universally applicable.
They should not be sought out; if they should be denounced and convicted, they must be punished, but nonetheless one who has denied that he is a Christian and has proven his denial by his actions—that is, who has sacrificed to our gods—though suspect in the past must nonetheless obtain mercy through his repentance. Anonymously posted lists should have no place in any trial. Such would be a bad precedent and unworthy of these times.
COMMENTS: This was very enjoyable reading for me. Why? Because it’s an inside look into the relationship between an Emperor and his lackey (we call them “public officials” and “bureaucrats” today). The reason I posted this little bitty is to show you what these guys think of peaceable Christians. Compared to everybody else, they’re “easy marks” for the tyrant and criminal caste. Once again, you can see how the “force of law” can take hold of a man (and his people!), influencing them to perpetrate every kind of evil against people undeserving of it. ONE HAS TO WONDER: WHY CHRISTIANS?
This word comes to mind: Hitler. And this word: Stalin. And another: CIA and FBI, including the many Presidents of the USA who VIOLATE the federal Constitution (1.8.12), which is a violation of their oath of office. There are so many of these types today, that it’d take volumes to list them all. Apparently the financial elite use POLITICAL POWER to inebriate their tender egos, which drives them to devilish lengths at home and around the world. AND FOR WHAT? Nothing good, I’m sure! Now compare the above with the teachings of Jesus and ask yourself: Who would you want to run you life? These guys or Jesus? By “run your life” I mean, who controls the social institutions of your society?
Lucian, De morte Peregrini, 11-14
About the philosopher who “duped” 2nd century Christians
11. “It was then that he learned the wondrous lore of the Christians, by associating with their priests and scribes in Palestine. And—how else could it be?—in a trice he made them all look like children, for he was prophet, cult-leader, head of the synagogue, and everything, all by himself. He interpreted and explained some of their books and even composed many, and they revered him as a god, made use of him as a lawgiver, and set him down as a protector, next after that other, to be sure, whom they still worship, the man who was crucified in Palestine because he introduced this new cult into the world.
12. “Then at length Proteus was apprehended for this and thrown into prison, which itself gave him no little reputation as an asset for his future career and the charlatanism and notoriety-seeking that he was enamoured of. Well, when he had been imprisoned, the Christians, regarding the incident as a calamity, left nothing undone in the effort to rescue him. Then, as this was impossible, every other form of attention was shown him, not in any casual way but with assiduity, and from the very break of day aged widows and orphan children could be seen waiting near the prison, while their officials even slept inside with him after bribing the guards. Then elaborate meals were brought in, and sacred books of theirs were read aloud, and excellent Peregrinus—for he still went by that name—was called by them ‘the new Socrates.’
13. “Indeed, people came even from the cities in Asia, sent by the Christians at their common expense, to succour and defend and encourage the hero. They show incredible speed whenever any such public action is taken; for in no time they lavish their all. So it was then in the case of Peregrinus; much money came to him from them by reason of his imprisonment, and he procured not a little revenue from it. The poor wretches have convinced themselves, first and foremost, that they are going to be immortal and live for all time, in consequence of which they despise death and even willingly give themselves into custody; most of them. Furthermore, their first lawgiver persuaded them that they are all brothers of one another after they have transgressed once for all by denying the Greek gods and by worshipping that crucified sophist himself and living under his laws. Therefore they despise all things indiscriminately and consider them common property, receiving such doctrines traditionally without any definite evidence. So if any charlatan and trickster, able to profit by occasions, comes among them, he quickly acquires sudden wealth by imposing upon simple folk.
14. “However, Peregrinus was freed by the then governor of Syria, a man who was fond of philosophy. Aware of his recklessness and that he would gladly die in order that he might leave behind him a reputation for it, he freed him, not considering him worthy even of the usual chastisement.
COMMENTS: An entertaining piece of fiction, or so it seems. There’s really no telling, because we’re so far removed from the time it was written, and we have no real evidence to say one way or the other. But who knows? Maybe this was some kind of PR news piece used to propagandize the masses, or even the public officials? Or maybe it’s just some work of fiction designed to denigrate Christians? No telling, but entertaining nonetheless!
Lampridius, Vita Alexandri Severi, 17, 22, 29, 43, 45, 49 & 51 (Emphasis added)
17.1 Encolpius, with whom Alexander was on most intimate terms, used to say that the Emperor, whenever he saw a thieving judge, had a finger ready to tear out the man’s eye; such was his hatred for those whom he found guilty of theft. 2 It is told, furthermore, by Septimius, who has given a good account of Alexander’s life, that so great was his indignation at judges, who, although not actually found guilty, yet laboured under the reputation of being dishonest, that, even if he merely chanced to see them, he would vent all the bile of his anger in great perturbation of spirit and with his whole countenance aflame, so that he became unable to speak. 3 Indeed, when a certain Septimius Arabianus, who had been notorious because of accusations of theft, but had been acquitted under Elagabalus, came with the senators to pay his respects to the Emperor, Alexander exclaimed: 4 “O Marna, (N54) O Jupiter, O ye gods in Heaven, not only is Arabianus alive, but he comes into the senate, and perhaps he is even hoping for some favour from me; does he consider me so foolish and so stupid?”
(N54) The patron-deity of Gaza in Palestine, later identified with Zeus. His cult is frequently mentioned in early Christian writers as an opponent of Christianity.
22.1 In order to bring merchants to Rome of their own accord he bestowed the greatest privileges on them, 2 and he established anew the largess of oil which Severus had given to the populace and Elagabalus had reduced when he conferred the prefecture of the grain-supply on the basest. 3 The right of bringing suit, which that same filthy wretch had abrogated, he restored to all. 4 He erected in Rome very many great engineering-works. He respected the privileges of the Jews and allowed the Christians to exist unmolested. (N71) 5 He paid great deference to the Pontifices, to the Board of Fifteen, and to the Augurs, even permitting certain cases involving sacred matters, though already decided by himself, to be reopened and presented in a different aspect. 6 Whenever he discovered that the praises accorded to a returning provincial governor were genuine and not the result of intrigue, he would always ask the man to ride in his own carriage with him when on a journey and also help him by means of presents, saying that rogues should be driven from public office and impoverished, but that the upright should be retained and enriched. 7 Once, when the populace of Rome petitioned him for a reduction of prices, he had a herald ask them what kinds of food they considered too dear, and when they cried out immediately “beef and pork” 8 he refused to proclaim a general reduction but gave orders that no one should slaughter a sow or a suckling-pig, a cow or a calf. As a result, in two years or, in fact, in little more than one year, there was such an abundance of pork and beef, that whereas a pound had previously cost eight minutuli, the price of both these meats was reduced to two and even one per pound.
(N71) A reversal of Severus’ policy; see Sev. xvii.1. On his general interest in Judaism and Christianity see c. xxix.2; xlii.6‑7; xlv.7; xlix.6; li.7.
COMMENTS: “He respected the privileges of the Jews and allowed the Christians to exist unmolested.” What PRIVILEGES of the Jews? What altered the state’s attitude towards Christians?
29.1 Legamen ad paginam Latinam – Before I tell of his wars and his campaigns and his victories, I will relate a few details of his private every-day life. 2 His manner of living was as follows: First of all, if it were permissible, that is to say, if he had not lain with his wife, in the early morning hours he would worship in the sanctuary of his Lares, in which he kept statues of the deified emperors — of whom, however, only the best had been selected — and also of certain holy souls, among them Apollonius, and, according to a contemporary writer, Christ, Abraham, Orpheus, and others of this same character and, besides, the portraits of his ancestors. (N117) 3 If this act of worship were not possible, he would ride about, or fish, or walk, or hunt, according to the character of the place in which he was. 4 Next, if the hour permitted, he would give earnest attention to public business, for all matters both military and civil, were, as I have said previously, worked over by his friends — who were, however, upright and faithful and never open to bribes — and when they had been thus worked over they were given his endorsement, except when it pleased him to make some alteration. 5 Of course, if necessity demanded it, he would give his attention to public business even before dawn and continue at it up to an advanced hour, never growing weary or giving up in irritation or anger, but always with a serene brow and cheerful in every task. 6 He was, indeed, a man, of great sagacity, and he could not be tricked, and whoever tried to impose on him by some sharp practice was always found out and punished.
(N117) Containing also a statue of Alexander the Great; see c. xxxi.5; Marcus Aurelius had had a similar chapel, in which he kept statues of his teachers; see Marc. iii.5.
COMMENTS: Here’s another mention of “Christ” written back around 4th century AD. Jesus is referred to as a “holy soul”, and revered as a “god”, meaning he’s a ROLE MODEL for the Emperor Alexander. I wonder what the statute of Jesus looked like, don’t you?! Did he have light brown hair and blue eyes like the Anglo version? Or was he Italian? LOL … there’s no telling!
Legamen ad paginam Latinam – 43.1 He enacted laws without number. He permitted every senator to use a carriage in the city and to have a coach ornamented with silver, thinking that it enhanced the dignity of Rome that these should be used by the senators of so great a city. 2 In appointing consuls, either regular or substitute, he always asked for the opinion of the senate; he reduced their expenses, furthermore, and arranged for the days of their entry into office in accordance with the ancient system. 3 He issued an order that a quaestor who was the nominee of the emperor should give games to the people at his own expense, but with the understanding that after the quaestorship he was to receive a praetorship and then govern a province; 4 ordinary quaestors, on the other hand, were authorized to pay for their games — which were less lavish — out of the revenues of the privy-purse. And it was his intention to have the games given at regular intervals throughout the whole year, in order that the people might have a spectacle every thirty days, but this plan, for some unknown reason, was never carried out. 5 Every seven days, when he was in the city, he went up to the Capitolium, and he visited the other temples frequently. 6 He also wished to build a temple to Christ and give him a place among the gods (N177) — a measure, which, they say, was also considered by Hadrian. For Hadrian ordered a temple without an image to be built in every city, and because these temples, built by him with this intention, so they say, are dedicated to no particular deity, they are called today merely Hadrian’s temples. (N178) 7 Alexander, however, was prevented from carrying out this purpose, because those who examined the sacred victims ascertained that if he did, all men would become Christians and the other temples would of necessity be abandoned.
(N177) Cf. c. xxii.4 and note.
(N178) See Hadr. xiii.6 and note.
COMMENTS: Again, the Emperor wants to deify Christ, so he can add him to his pantheon of ‘gods’. At least the guy liked good role models! According to this account, the Christians had a substantial influence in the Roman empire, probably mainly at the Capital city. I say that because the the historian says, “if he did, all men would become Christians”. If true, one has to wonder why?
45.1 Legamen ad paginam Latinam – He conducted military expeditions, which I shall describe in their proper place. But first I will tell of his way of dealing with matters to be kept secret or announced publicly. 2 He always kept secret the plan for a campaign, but announced openly the length of each day’s march; and he would even issue a proclamation two months beforehand, in which was written, “On such and such a day, and at such and such an hour, I shall depart from the city, and, if the gods so will, I shall tarry at the first halting-place.” Then were listed in order all the halting-places, next the camping-stations, and next the places where provisions were to be found, for the whole length of the march as far as the boundaries of the barbarians’ country. 3 From here on everything was kept secret and all took every precaution to keep the barbarians in ignorance of the plans of the Romans. 4 It is certain, moreover, that he never practised any deception in anything that he announced publicly, for he declared that he would not allow the palace-officials to sell his plans, as had been done under Elagabalus, when everything was sold by the eunuchs — 5 a class of men who desire that all the palace-affairs should be kept secret, solely in order that they alone may seem to have knowledge of them and thus possess the means of obtaining influence or money.
6 Now since we happen to have made mention of his practice of announcing his plans publicly — whenever Alexander desired to name any man governor of a province, or make him an officer in the army, or appoint him a procurator, that is to say, a revenue-officer, (N187) he always announced his name publicly and charged the people, in case anyone wished to bring an accusation against him, to prove it by irrefutable evidence, declaring that anyone who failed to prove his charge should suffer capital punishment. 7 For, he used to say, it was unjust that, when Christians and Jews observed this custom in announcing the names of those who were to be ordained priests, (N188) it should not be similarly observed in the case of governors of provinces, to whose keeping were committed the fortunes and lives of men. 46 Legamen ad paginam Latinam – Furthermore, the assistants of the governors were granted regular salaries, though he often said that only those men ought to be promoted who could carry on the administration of the state by their own efforts and did not need the aid of assistants, adding that soldiers had their own particular sphere, and scholars theirs, and that accordingly it was the duty of every man to do whatever he could.
(N187) The term rationalis, originally applied to the official (also called a rationibus) who had the supervision of the privy-purse at Rome, was in the later third and the fourth centuries used generally, though not officially, to designate any provincial procurator; see Maxim. xiv.1; Gord. vii.2.
(N188) On his interest in Judaism and Christianity see c. xxii.4 and note.
COMMENTS: Now here’s a guy with good sense. Gotta hand it to Alexander! He wanted to protect the WEALTH OF THE EMPIRE from GREED AND CRIMINAL VIOLENCE. Sound familiar? Maybe we should pray for God to raise Alexander from the dead and come rule over America for a few years?! How quickly the ‘mockers’ would be dispatched, never to rise again. I’m talking about President Trump’s adversaries in the bureaucracy and media (not that Trump’s an ‘angel’ by any stretch of the imagination!). They never cease to accuse him of wrongdoing, yet, they’ve been officially found to be SCHEMERS, LIARS and seditious criminals, but nothing ever comes of it. Where’s Alexander when you need him?!
The notable ‘word’ in this account is the fact that Alexander adopted CHRISTIAN PRACTICES for his political process. Another interesting fact is that both “Christians and Jews” practiced the same political process. That tells me Christians and Jews observed the same or similar customs. I would guess these customs originated with the Jews and were built upon the Mosaic law. It would prove interesting to find the discussions of that TRADITION in rabbinic literature to see how they derive it from the Old Testament. You’d be amazed to see how they ‘work’ that Book when ‘making law’!
Legamen ad paginam Latinam 49.1 The right of wearing the sword (N199) he would never allow to be sold, for he said: “It must inevitably happen that he who buys will also sell, and I will not tolerate traffickers in offices or men on whom, if they should plunder, I could not impose sentence. For I blush at the thought that a man who buys and sells should be able to inflict punishment.” 2 The office of pontifex and also membership in the College of Fifteen and the augurship he bestowed by imperial mandate, but always on condition that the appointment be ratified by the senate.
3 Dexippus201 has related that Alexander married the daughter of a certain Macrinus and that he gave this man the name of Caesar; 4 moreover, that when Macrinus tried to kill him by treachery, Alexander, on detecting the plot, not only put Macrinus to death but also divorced his wife. 5 The same writer says also that Antoninus Elagabalus was the uncle of Alexander, and not the son of his mother’s sister. 6 And when the Christians took possession of a certain place, which had previously been public property, and the keepers of an eating-house maintained that it belonged to them, Alexander rendered the decision that it was better for some sort of a god to be worshipped there than for the place to be handed to the keepers of an eating-house.
(N199) i.e. the right to inflict capital punishment, which in theory belonged only to the emperor or the senate. In the third century this right was granted by the emperor to all provincial governors; see Ulpian in Digesta, I.18.6, 8.
COMMENTS: Although there’s nothing in this account about Jesus, there is a couple good ideas that originate with Jesus’ people the Christians.
- Alexander recognized that GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS DO NOT MIX. America ought to take that lesson to heart! Today in America they have a thing called “the public-private partnership”. Sounds sweet, right? WRONG! It’s a public relations scheme that the “idle rich” hide behind so they can STEAL all the legacy taxpayer-built government entities and PROFIT from them as their own BUSINESS ENTITIES. This is how the MERCHANT (aka: Canaanite) worms their way into a nation and conquers it ADMINISTRATIVELY through LAW-MAKING without firing a shot. Take it to heart. At least Alexander recognized when BUSINESSMEN were destroying his empire and put an end to it BY LAW. Where’s Alexander when you need him?!
2. the Emperor fancied MORALITY over HUMAN INDULGENCE and the businessmen who profit from it. It’s like George Washington said in his Farewell Address:
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim
the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity.
Apparently Alexander was wise enough to see the VALUE in legislating morality in his empire, instead of EXPLOITING people’s base instincts, passions and desires for the sake of SORDID GAIN. He had a view to the long-term health of his nation instead of profit in the moment. This is a HUGE lesson for we who live in modern times: BUSINESSMEN have always been SCOUNDRELS, and that will never change. Society must guard against them or they will PAY! It’s high-time we extinguished the CORPORATE INVESTOR business model in America and returned to family businesses. A dead family is a dead society.
Note also that the office of PROCURATOR is equivalent to REVENUE OFFICER. We find that office in the NT, although not mentioned specifically as-such. Those who Rome appointed to govern Israel during 2nd Temple times were essentially REVENUE OFFICERS. Here’s who they were:
Smith’s Bible Dictionary
Procurator.
The Greek agemon , rendered “governor” in the Authorized Version, is applied in the New Testament to the officer who presided over the imperial province of Judea. It is used of Pontius Pilate, (Matthew 27:1) … of Felix, Acts 23, 24, and of Festus. (Acts 26:30)
As always, GOVERNMENT IS A BUSINESS, because it revolves around MONEY. That fact puts a very sharp point on the WARNING against allowing BUSINESSMEN to mix with GOVERNMENT! Otherwise, like today’s America, we become oppressed by LAWS that govern corporate monopolies on trade, thus reducing everybody to SLAVERY (except the ‘idle rich’).
Legamen ad paginam Latinam 51.1 Gifts presented to him by kings he would always dedicate in a temple, but the jewels that were given to him he sold, maintaining that jewels were for women and that they should not be given to a soldier or be worn by a man. 2 And when one of his legates presented to the Emperor’s wife through Alexander himself two pearls of great weight and uncommon size, he ordered them to be sold. 3 But when no offer could be found, fearing that a bad example might be set by the queen, were she to wear jewels too costly to find a buyer, he dedicated them to Venus for earrings.
4 He always treated Ulpian as his guardian — a fact which called forth, first the opposition of his mother, but, later, her gratitude — and he frequently protected him from the soldiers’ ill‑will by sheltering him under his own purple robe. (N210) In fact, it was because he ruled chiefly in accordance with Ulpian’s advice that he was so excellent an emperor. (N211)
5 When in the field or on a campaign he lunched and dined in an open tent and ate the soldiers’ ordinary food in the sight of all and greatly to their pleasure; and he used to go about to all the tents and never permitted anyone to be absent from the colours. 6 Moreover, if any man turned aside from the road into someone’s private property, he was punished in the Emperor’s presence according to the character of his rank, either by the club or by the rod or by condemnation to death, or, if his rank placed him above all these penalties, by the sternest sort of a rebuke, the Emperor saying, “Do you desire this to be done to your land which you are doing to another’s?” 7 He used often to exclaim what he had heard from someone, either a Jew or a Christian, (N213) and always remembered, and he also had it announced by a herald whenever he was disciplining anyone, 8 “What you do not wish that a man should do to you, do not do to him.” And so highly did he value this sentiment that he had it written up in the Palace and in public buildings.
(N210) Notably in his vain attempt to protect Ulpian against (p281)the praetorian guards, who mutinied in 228 and killed him; see Dio, LXXX.2.2; see also c. xii.5 and note.
(N211) See note to c. xiv.7.
(N 213) See note to c. xxii.4.
COMMENTS: Although Jesus is not mentioned here, the Christians are. The connection to Jesus is OBVIOUS. Today we call it “the golden rule”. Alexander said it like this, “What you do not wish that a man should do to you, do not do to him.” Sound familiar? Jesus said it like this, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12) There’s your link to the words of Jesus, and by extension, Jesus himself, through the traditions kept of him.
That seems like a good way to end this blog. Let’s always remember to TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED. In this way we can ensure our happy lives throughout our nation. That is the essence of SELF-GOVERNMENT in God’s kingdom.
See you in the next blog!
Reality Bible 