more Mainstream Apologetics ...

Evidence ID: HIS-EV17

Evidence: Ancient Writings of Gaius Suetonius

Summary: First century Roman historian, Cornelious Tacitus, write of Jesus and the Christian community in Rome. Suetonius makes explicit mention of Jesus and the persecution and expulsion of Christian from Rome.

Description: Gaius Suetonius (ca. 69-122 AD) was the chief secretary of Emperor Hadrian (ca. 117-138 AD).

In Suetonius' greatest historical work, the The Twelve Caesars, Suetonius wrote of Emperor Claudius' actions toward Christians in Rome. In the chapter covering the reign of Claudius (ca. 41-54 A.D), Claudius expelled Jewish Christians from Rome.

"Because the Jews at Rome caused continuous disturbances at instigation of Chrestus (Christ), he (Emperor Claudius) expelled them from the city."

We understand from this text that the Jewish Christians were expelled because of "disturbances". We learn from Roman history that there were riots in Rome around 49 AD Jewish Christians were likely blamed for these disturbances. Also note, this passage coincides with Acts 18:2 where Priscilla and Aquila were among those expelled from Rome by Claudius.

"And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome." (Acts 18:2 ESV)

In another passage from the Histories of Claudius, Suetonius wrote of the punishments inflicted on Christian because of the rumored connection with the great Roman fire of 64 AD This passage is also echoed by Cornelius Tacitus [HIS-EV16].

"After the great fire at Rome, ... punishments were also inflicted on the Christians, a sect professing a new and mischievous religious belief."

In these passages, we learn several facts about Christians and Jesus:

• Christians' disturbing behavior was instigated "Christus" Jesus.
• The Jewish Christians were persecuted for their disturbing behavior.
• The Jewish Christians were a new sect.
• The Jewish Christians were professing "mischievous religious beliefs" that were at odds with emperor worship in Rome.
• The expulsion of Jewish Christians from Rome is consistent with the Book of Acts.

Resources:

• Ancient Evidence for the Life of Jesus (REF-HAB01)

• Gaius Suetonius Tranquillas (REF-GST01)

• Jesus and Other New Testament Persons in Non-Christian Sources (REF-HUNT01)