Tacitus and the New Testament part 1

One of Tactitus’ works of history is called The Annals. It details the history of Rome from Tiberius to Nero.  It’s most famous passage is when Tacitus mentions Jesus, Pontius Pilate, and Nero’s persecution of early Roman Christians (The Annals 15.44). I finally got around to reading the book and really enjoyed it; in places it reads like a good murder plot (and another murder plot…and another murder plot..etc).   Other than Jesus and Pontius Pilate, I noticed several references to other Biblical figures whom are mentioned in the book of Acts.

The first concerned is Agrippa I, King of Judea who died in 44AD.  He is mentioned several times in Acts 12 where he is described as executing the apostle James the brother of John and also as being struck down by God while giving a speech.  Interestingly, Josephus in his Antiquities 19.8.2 [343-353] also discusses Agrippa’s death and also claims that he was struck down by God while giving a speech.

Tacitus gives far fewer details and writes as follows in The Annals 12.23:

“Narbon Gaul, for its special reverence of the Senate, received a privilege. Senators belonging to the province, without seeking the emperor’s approval, were to be allowed to visit their estates, a right enjoyed by Sicily. Ituræa and Judæ, on the death of their kings, Sohæmus and Agrippa, were annexed to the province of Syria.”

More to come later.

(edited “Herod Agrippa I” to simply “Agrippa I” for clarity’s sake -1/7/09)