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Evidence ID: HIS-EV19

Evidence: Ancient Writings of Thallus as Referenced by Julius Africanus

Summary: Second century historian, Julius Africanus wrote of Jesus death. He referenced the writings of Thallus a first century writer that documented the celestial phenomena accompanying the death of Jesus. This phenomenon included darkness and earthquakes during the time of Jesus' crucifixion.

Description: Thallus wrote his historical account the Trojan Wars in his histories of the Eastern Mediterranean world written in 52 AD. The works of Thallus are no longer available in their original form. However, Thallus' original works were referenced by Sextus Julius Africanus (cs. 160-240) in his historical works entitled History of the World written in 221 AD.

On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. This darkness Thallus, in the third book of his History calls, as appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun. (cs. (221 AD)

In this passage, Africanus took exception to Thallus's explanation of the super-natural phenomena of the earth shaking and darkness as a mere eclipse. He argued that an eclipse could not have occurred during a Jewish Passover celebration during the time of a full moon.

Based on this passage, we learn several facts about the death of Jesus:

• There was darkness of the earth during Jesus' crucifixion.
• There was an earthquake where rock shook and were split during Jesus's crucifixion.

These facts are consistent with the biblical account of Jesus' death as recorded in the Gospels:

• Earth Shook as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew

  And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. ... When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:51-54)

• Darkness as recorded in Gospel of Luke

  It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. (Luke 23:44-45)

Resources:

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

• Sextus Julius Africanus (REF-SJA01)

• Thallus (REF-THA01)