The First Century

Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus, aka, Caligula, son of Agrippina and Germanicus, decided to go to Germany to attack barbarians as his father had done, and for which he was given the name, Germanicus. Caligula determined that the Roman general of the upper Rhine was too popular and not to be trusted so he executed him and replaced him with Galba. But attacking barbarians was more challenging than it...

Gaius (Caligula) heard that Jews were causing trouble in Jamnia and in Alexandria, Egypt. He raised the stakes by ordering that his statue be installed in the Jerusalem Temple. For that task he sent Petronius as the new governor of Syria. Vitellius, who was marked for execution, saved his own life with sycophancy, and began to worship Gaius as a god. In a demonstration of the princeps' love of cha...

After serving as tetrarch since 4 BCE, Herod Antipas and his wife Herodias are driven by envy at Herod Agrippa's recent promotion. Antipas and Herodias decide to make their case to Caesar directly, but their plans are revealed and undermined by Agrippa and Vitellius, the Roman governor of Syria. In the meantime, in Jamnia of Judea, the Gentiles and Jews quarrel, requiring the intervention of Caesa...

Antioch was the capital of the Roman Province of Syria, and refuge to many followers of the way who fled Saul's persecution in Jerusalem. Their message found a receptive audience there, as it did in Rome, due to the efforts of Andronicus and Junia, and Prisca and Aquila. But not everyone was receptive, leading to arguments and civil disturbances. In a demonstration of imperial excess and religious...

Flaccus is deposed as governor of Egypt in a stealthy move. After being found guilty of maiestas (treason) before the princeps, his property is taken and he is banished to the island of Andros. In Caesarea Maritima, Philip, one of the seven, whose four daughters were known for prophecy, is active promoting his belief in Jesus as the Messiah. A Roman centurion in Caesarea Philippi comes to faith in...

Caligula's behavior at dinner parties was questionable at best and downright abbhorent at worst. His uncle Claudius was the butt of jokes whereas the wives of senators became paramours for the princeps. His affection for the actor Mnester was unbridled. Quintilia's outstanding reputation as an actor was matched only by her beauty. Her virtuous character meant she was an apt target for her lover's...

Caligula compels those who made promises for his recovery to deliver. Herod Agrippa finally sets sail for Alexandria on his way to take possession of his Judean kingdom.   SHOWNOTES:    For the bridge over the Gulf of Baiae, see Cassius Dio, Roman History 59.17; Suetonius Caligula, 19. Drusilla was the first Roman woman to be named divine. Later, in 42 CE, Livia will be declared so. Claudia, daugh...

Gaius recovers from his illness and begins a streak of vengeance and power consolidation. Flaccus, governor of Egypt, continues to navigate a troublesome political situation. Gaius's sister Agrippina gives birth to a boy, whereas Macro and Ennia's fortunes change.    SHOWNOTES On the soft rebukes of Gaius from Macro (Philo Embassy to Gaius, 7). Agrippina's husband saying, "That nothing but what wa...

The principate of Gaius, aka Caligula, starts with promise especially for his family including his uncle Claudius and for his friends, such as Herod Agrippa. Saul of Tarsus experiences a revelation that changes the trajectory of his life. And Flaccus, governor of Egypt, attempts to manage a new political reality.   SHOWNOTES Paul's Revelation (Gal 1:16-17; Acts 9, 22, 26)

The growing sect of the Nazorean continued to add new members, creating logistical challenges for the movement. Seven men were appointed to help matters. With Pilate removed, leaving Judea without a procurator, the crowd in Jerusalem was stirred up to the point of stoning Stephen, one of the seven. The recently installed high priest was then removed by Lucius Vitellius, governor of Syria, who woul...

Caligula's grandmother dies shortly after he comes to the throne. Lucius Vitellius in Syria secures peace with Parthia and then removes Caiaphas as High Priest.    SHOWNOTES: Agrippina's double canine (hyperdontia) (Pliny, NH 7). Artabanus crossed the Euphrates and held another conference with Lucius Vitellius where he paid honors to the Roman standards (Suet. Caligula, 14). Lucius removes Caiapha...

After Tiberius' death, Gaius (Caligula) comes to the throne. In a brilliant move, he secures the ashes of his persecuted and deceased family members and accompanies them to the mausoleum of Augustus. The crowds are overjoyed with the promise of this young new princeps. For Vitellius in Syria, his impending military action is paused, pending orders from Gaius.      SHOWNOTES: Oath to Caligula (11 M...

After one too many provocations, the new Roman governor of Syria orders Pontius Pilate to Rome for a meeting with the emperor. But before he arrives, Tiberius dies at the age of 77.    SHOWNOTES The only account of the 'shields incident' appears within Agrippa’s letter to Gaius Caligula as presented by Philo, Embassy 38:299-305. The episode between Pilate and the Samaritans, and Pilate's being ord...

The Parthian king, harboring resentment against Tiberius, makes moves against the Roman empire. Tiberius enlists the help of Herod Antipas in dealing with the situation. Herod Agrippa presses his luck with the princeps and ends up under house arrest.  SHOWNOTES Artabanus had once penned a letter accusing Tiberius of murdering members of his own family, slaughtering innocent people, neglecting his...

Herod Agrippa and his wife Cypros are unhappy and attempt to change their fortune with mixed results. When updating his will, Tiberius considers his options in naming an heir.   SHOWNOTES Alexander Lysimachus, the port official known as the Alabarch, had a brother named Philo, an influential Jewish intellectual. (Jos. Ant. 18.259). Alexander also knew Antonia, the mother of Germanicus, Livilla, an...

Tiberius and the imperial court continue to engage in unusual behavior on Capri. After Gaius's pregnant wife dies, he begins an affair, promising to marry the woman if and when he becomes princeps. Tiberius gives his favorite adolescent boy a nickname and promotes the boy's father to higher office. The sect of the Nazorean continues to grow in Jerusalem.   SHOWNOTES Lucius Vitellius visited Gaius....

After the death of Jesus over Passover, some of his followers began to make fantastical claims. At Pentecost, Simon Peter addressed Jewish pilgrims about these beliefs, leading some to join the sect of the Nazorean.   SHOW NOTES Redemption would come from Mount Zion (Isa 2:2-4; 59:20, the latter cited in Rom 11:26). "Maranatha" (1 Cor 16:22; Didache 10:14)  "Afterward he [Jesus] journeyed from one...

After Jesus entered Jerusalem to cries of "Hosannah to the Son of David" the political and religious authorities work together to eliminate this potential threat.  Show Notes Jesus replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.’” (Luke 13:31-32 NABRE) "If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to...

When Antipas has John executed, Jesus goes into hiding. A debt-ridden Agrippa is encouraged by his wife to seek help from his half-brother, the same Antipas.  SHOW NOTES Gemellus (b. 10 Oct 19) was the son of Drusus and Livilla

Sejanus' past actions finally catch up with him and he is denounced and executed the same day on orders from Tiberius. A period of retribution ensnares family members and others. 

In Jerusalem some Galilean pilgrims run into trouble when making a sacrifice. Livia, the Augusta, passes away at the age of 84, attributing her long life to the regular consumption of a particular wine. And with her passing, Sejanus has an opening to eliminate Agrippina and her two oldest sons. 

John the Baptist finds a worthy apprentice in the person of Jesus, from the small village of Nazareth in Galilee. Together they baptize many people before John is arrested by Herod Antipas, driving Jesus into hiding. The imprisoned John has a question for Jesus who replies with a mix of scripture and a beatitude for John himself.  

Herod Antipas, attracted to his niece Herodias, the wife of his half-brother, decides to divorce his own wife, Phaesalis, the daughter of Aretas, King of the Nabateans. He will then marry Herodias himself. Antipas secures support from Rome for his plan, but it invokes the wrath of Aretas and a wilderness prophet named John. 

The equestrian Pontius Pilate takes up duties as Prefect of Judea without a legate of Syria in the region, only to be confronted with potential problems. Members of the imperial family find partners in marriage. 

When Tiberius's son Drusus dies the princeps names as co-heirs the oldest sons of Agrippina. Herod Antipas engages in building projects and secures an alliance with the Nabateans. Tiberius quarrels with Agrippina and his mother Livia before departing for Capri.