The First Century

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 was detestable and pernicious to the public, could ever be produced of him and Agrippina" (Suet Nero 6). 

Augustus thought Claudius, Gaius’ uncle, was not a good judge of character and had a bad choice of friends (Suet, Claudius, 4.5).

Whenever Macro approached, Gaius would say, "Don’t smile! Don’t look downcast! Here comes the monitor, the stickler for straight speaking. He has now taken it upon himself to tutor a fully grown man, an emperor no less—at the very moment when those who guided him since childhood have been dismissed and pushed aside." (Philo, Against Flaccus, 3.15).

Macro left enough money to provide for the construction of an amphitheater in his hometown of Alba Fucens (in Abruzzo) which can still be seen today:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anfiteatro_di_Alba_Fucens_e_monte_Velino.jpg

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 would not tolerate such mob action. 

SHOWNOTES

That some priests joined the sect of the Nazorean (Acts 6:7)

That the twelve were to be part of ruling God’s people at the end times, sitting on twelve thrones (Matt 19:28; LK 22:30). 

The story of the seven and the stoning of Stephen is told in Acts 6-7. 

That descendants of Jewish slaves became emancipated Roman citizens (cf. Philo, Legatio ad Gaium, 23 (155)).

That one who blasphemes shall be brought outside the city and stoned to death (Lev 24:14-15).

“Whenever we crucify criminals…[we place them] where the greatest number of people can watch and be influenced by this threat; for every penalty is aimed not so much at the offense, as at its exemplary value." (Quintilian, Declamationes maiores 274.13)

Saul, born in Tarsus but raised in Jerusalem (Acts 22:3)

Saul as a “skēnopoios” by trade, which can mean tentmaker, but also one who works with any type of leather. (Acts 18:3-4)

That Saul's sister lived in Jerusalem and she had a son, who was close to Saul in his early years (Acts 23:16). 

Saul being from the tribe of Benjamin: Jewish identity was connected to the twelve tribes, the twelve sons of Jacob, aka Israel, son of Rebecca and Isaac, son of Abraham and Sarah. Of the twelve tribes, ten settled in the north, which was known as Israel, and two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, settled in the south, known as Judah. After a brief period of a united kingdom of the twelve tribes from the time of Saul, the first king, to David and his son Solomon, the kingdom was divided into the north, aka Israel whose capital was Samaria and the south, aka, Judah, whose capital was Jerusalem. The northern kingdom was destroyed by Assyria in about 722 BCE and many of those people (tribes) were ‘lost’ as they were deported or otherwise assimilated into Assyria. Judah, the southern kingdom, was conquered and brought into exile by Babylon in about 586 BCE. Only when the Persian king Cyrus defeated Babylon were the exiles allowed to return to Judah. At that time they rebuilt the temple and recommitted themselves to following God’s Law, aka Mosaic Law, in part so that they would not suffer another defeat such as that experienced at the hands of the Babylonians. That Paul traced his lineage to the tribe of Benjamin indicates that his ancestors were of the southern kingdom of Judah.   

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 Caiaphas as high priest (Jos. Ant. 18.4.3).

For this podcast, Yochanan is considered the person who will eventually be known as the otherwise unnamed, 'Beloved Disciple,' or 'the disciple whom Jesus loved,' the source of the gospel of John.

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 May 37 CE)

On the 11th day of May, in the consulship of Gaius Cestius and Marcus Servilius, in the presence of Gaius Ummidius Durmius Quadratus, governor of the province, the citizens of Aritium swear this oath:

I shall be an enemy to those whom I know to be enemies of Gaius Caesar Germanicus. I shall neither allow harm to come to him nor to those of his household, and I shall not conceal anyone who intends harm against him. I shall report such persons to Gaius Caesar Germanicus and to those whom he commands. I shall protect his life, his safety, and his power, as far as I am able, with good faith and without deceit or evasion. I shall regard as friends those whom he regards as friends, and as enemies those whom he regards as enemies. If I knowingly violate this oath, may I suffer destruction, myself and my property; if I keep it faithfully, may I prosper.

--CIL II, 172, discovered in Lusitania (modern Portugal). https://www.judaism-and-rome.org/printpdf/oath-allegiance-caligula-gaius-lusitania-cil-ii-172

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 ordered to Rome is related by Josephus (Ant. 18.85-89).

The story of Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus being accused in the Senate of treason, and acts of adultery and incest with his sister Lepida is from Suetonius (Nero, 5).

The last days of Tiberius are told by Suetonius (Tib, 72-73, 75) and Tacitus (Ann. 6.50-51).

The story of Herod Agrippa and his jailer is based on Josephus (Ant. 18.225-234).

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 duties, and indulging his lusts. Artabanus concluded the letter by urging Tiberius to satisfy the deep longings of his subjects and commit suicide (Suet, Tib, 66).

Lucius used his deft diplomatic skills to entice Artabanus to offer his own young son Darius and a seven-foot tall “giant” named Eleazar, a Judean, as hostages for the peace treaty brokered by Antipas and Lucius Vitellius (Jos. Ant. 18.101). [Josephus tells this story prior to the death of John the Baptist. But Lucius Vitellius was governor of Syria closer to 35 and served until 39.]

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, and Claudius, as he had acted as Antonia’s steward years earlier. (Jos. Ant. 19.276).

In the spring of 36 then, Agrippa left for Italy, whereas his wife and children returned to Judea (Jos Ant. 18.159-160).

Tiberius looked at Gaius while holding Gemellus and then said, “You will kill him, and another will kill you.” [Tacitus (6.46)].

Tiberius wasn’t sure that Gemellus was actually Drusus’ son. (Cassius Dio 58.23.1). There was a chance that Livilla had been impregnated by Sejanus.

Macro went further and said to Tiberius, “I myself will see to Gemellus’ security. I am your friend Tiberius and I carried out your wishes when it comes to Sejanus. You can trust me.” (Philo, Embassy to Gaius, 6).

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. Lucius and his three brothers, Publius, Aulus, and Quintus, came from an equestrian family. Their father, the procurator Publius Vitellius of Nuceria, was a Roman knight and a steward of Augustus’ property. Nuceria was situated at the foot of Mount Albino, about 20 km from Neapolis (modern day Naples).

Gaius had a specially built track for chariot racing called the Gaianum. The Gaianum was east of the Via Triumphalis, about 300 m from where the Mausoleum of Hadrian would be built nearly 80 years later. Ultimately the construction of Saint Peter’s eliminated all traces of the Gaianum. (Lawrence Richardson, A New Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome [Johns Hopkins University Press, 1992], p. 180).

Philip, Herod Antipas’ half-brother, passed away in 34 CE. Tiberius distributed his lands, the territories north and east of the river Jordan (Trachonitis, Gaulanitis, and the nation of the Bataneans), to the Roman province of Syria.

Those of the sect of the Nazorean prayed that God might send the Messiah, the one already appointed, Jesus, who is in heaven and must remain there until the time of universal restoration, spoken of by the prophets (Acts 3:12-26).

Simon of Cyrene and his two sons, Rufus and Alexander (Mark 15:21). Cyrene was a Greek city in eastern Libya (cf. Acts 2:10).

Joseph of Arimathea (Matt 27:57-60; Mark 15:43-46; Luke 23:50-53; John 19:38).

The Pharisee Nicodemus (John 3:1-21; 7:50-51; 19:39-42)

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) 

Kepha, the Aramaic term for ‘rock,’ had not been used for a personal name or even a nickname for any other person prior to that time. Yet, the biblical scholar J. Fitzmyer argues that in the 5th cent BCE there is evidence that it was used as a name (papyrus from Elephantine in Egypt). Fitzmyer also notes that this does not prove the word was used as a proper name among Palestinian Jews in the 1st century CE.

James, Jesus’ brother claimed to have witnessed Jesus risen from the dead (1 Cor 15:7).

During Jesus' time on earth, James and Jesus’ other brothers did not believe Jesus was the Messiah (John 7:5).

At one time early in Jesus’ ministry, his family went to get him, thinking that he was mad, or literally, ‘out of his mind’ (Mark 3:21). When informed that Jesus’ brothers, sisters, and mother were there to get him, Jesus replied with a question, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he replied to his own question with a peculiar aphorism and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matt 12:48-50).  

Some of Jesus's family members included Joses, Simon and Jude as well as sisters (cf. Matt 13:55-56).

James and John, sons of Zebedee, had also been given a nickname in Aramaic by Jesus: “Boanerges,” which means ‘sons of thunder.’ (Cf. Luke 9:54; Mk 3:17)

The story of the healing of Peter's mother-in-law is at Mark 1:29-31.

Jesus had said that the judgment was coming and that there were some among them who would see it (Mark 9:1; Matt 16:28; Luke 9:27; cf Mark 13:30; 1 Thess 4:17).

Jesus told the high priest Caiaphas that he would see Jesus' return as the Son of Man on the clouds of heaven (Mark 14:62).

The disciples believed Jesus would remain in heaven until a future date appointed by God (Acts 3:21).

See Acts 2 for some of the events at Pentecost.

Andronicus and Junia (Rom 16:7)