Tacitus, Annals, 15.44 - 115 CE
Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired. Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle, and was exhibiting a show in the circus, while he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer or stood aloft on a car. Hence, even for criminals who deserved extreme and exemplary punishment, there arose a feeling of compassion; for it was not, as it seemed, for the public good, but to glut one man's cruelty, that they were being destroyed.
- [1] Christians were named for their founder, Christus (Latin) [2] who was put to death by the Roman procurator, Pontius Pilutus (Latin), [3] during the reign of emperor Tiberius (14 -37 CE). [4] His death ended the “superstition” for a short time, [5] but it broke out again, [6] especially in Judaea where it had its origin. [7] His followers carried His doctrine to Rome. [8] Nero placed blame for the great fire on the Christians in Rome. [9] The Christians were hated for their abominations. [10] They were arrested after pleading guilty, [11] and many convicted for “hatred of mankind.” [12] They were mocked and [13] then tortured, including crucifixion and burning. [14] Because of these actions, people had compassion on them. [15] Tacitus concludes the punishments were not for the public good but were to “glut one man’s cruelty.”
Pliny, Letters, 10.96-97 - 112 CE
Pliny to the Emperor Trajan
It is my practice, my lord, to refer to you all matters concerning which I am in doubt. For who can better give guidance to my hesitation or inform my ignorance? I have never participated in trials of Christians. I therefore do not know what offenses it is the practice to punish or investigate, and to what extent. And I have been not a little hesitant as to whether there should be any distinction on account of age or no difference between the very young and the more mature; whether pardon is to be granted for repentance, or, if a man has once been a Christian, it does him no good to have ceased to be one; whether the name itself, even without offenses, or only the offenses associated with the name are to be punished.
Meanwhile, in the case of those who were denounced to me as Christians, I have observed the following procedure: I interrogated these as to whether they were Christians; those who confessed I interrogated a second and a third time, threatening them with punishment; those who persisted I ordered executed. For I had no doubt that, whatever the nature of their creed, stubbornness and inflexible obstinacy surely deserve to be punished. There were others possessed of the same folly; but because they were Roman citizens, I signed an order for them to be transferred to Rome.
Soon accusations spread, as usually happens, because of the proceedings going on, and several incidents occurred. An anonymous document was published containing the names of many persons. Those who denied that they were or had been Christians, when they invoked the gods in words dictated by me, offered prayer with incense and wine to your image, which I had ordered to be brought for this purpose together with statues of the gods, and moreover cursed Christ--none of which those who are really Christians, it is said, can be forced to do--these I thought should be discharged. Others named by the informer declared that they were Christians, but then denied it, asserting that they had been but had ceased to be, some three years before, others many years, some as much as twenty-five years. They all worshipped your image and the statues of the gods, and cursed Christ.
They asserted, however, that the sum and substance of their fault or error had been that they were accustomed to meet on a fixed day before dawn and sing responsively a hymn to Christ as to a god, and to bind themselves by oath, not to some crime, but not to commit fraud, theft, or adultery, not falsify their trust, nor to refuse to return a trust when called upon to do so. When this was over, it was their custom to depart and to assemble again to partake of food--but ordinary and innocent food. Even this, they affirmed, they had ceased to do after my edict by which, in accordance with your instructions, I had forbidden political associations. Accordingly, I judged it all the more necessary to find out what the truth was by torturing two female slaves who were called deaconesses. But I discovered nothing else but depraved, excessive superstition.
I therefore postponed the investigation and hastened to consult you. For the matter seemed to me to warrant consulting you, especially because of the number involved. For many persons of every age, every rank, and also of both sexes are and will be endangered. For the contagion of this superstition has spread not only to the cities but also to the villages and farms. But it seems possible to check and cure it. It is certainly quite clear that the temples, which had been almost deserted, have begun to be frequented, that the established religious rites, long neglected, are being resumed, and that from everywhere sacrificial animals are coming, for which until now very few purchasers could be found. Hence it is easy to imagine what a multitude of people can be reformed if an opportunity for repentance is afforded.
Trajan to Pliny
You observed proper procedure, my dear Pliny, in sifting the cases of those who had been denounced to you as Christians. For it is not possible to lay down any general rule to serve as a kind of fixed standard. They are not to be sought out; if they are denounced and proved guilty, they are to be punished, with this reservation, that whoever denies that he is a Christian and really proves it--that is, by worshiping our gods--even though he was under suspicion in the past, shall obtain pardon through repentance. But anonymously posted accusations ought to have no place in any prosecution. For this is both a dangerous kind of precedent and out of keeping with the spirit of our age.
Emporer Hadrian (117-138 CE), in a letter to Minucius Fundanus, the Asian proconsul:
"I do not wish, therefore, that the matter should be passed by without examination, so that these men may neither be harassed, nor opportunity of malicious proceedings be offered to informers. If, therefore, the provincials can clearly evince their charges against the Christians, so as to answer before the tribunal, let them pursue this course only, but not by mere petitions, and mere outcries against the Christians. For it is far more proper, if anyone would bring an accusation, that you should examine it."
Hadrian further explained that if Christians were found guilty they should be judged "according to the heinousness of the crime." If the accusers were only slandering the believers, then those who inaccurately made the charges were to be punished.
- [1] Christ worshipped as a deity by early believers [2] Jesus’ ethical teachings are reflected in the oath [3] reference to an early version of the communion (where Pliny is also probably referencing accusations that Christians drank blood from ritualistic murders) [4] possible reference to Sunday worship as Christians met on a certain day [5] met in a pre-dawn service [6] which included singing of hymns [7]
Gaius Suetonius Tranquillas (chief secretary of Emperor Hadrian 117-138 CE), Claudius, 25
Because the Jews at Rome caused continuous disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he [Claudius] expelled them from the city.
-- Nero, 16
After the great fire at Rome…Punishments were also inflicted on the Christians, a sect professing a new and mischievous religious belief.
[1] the expulsion of the Jews from Rome, [2] that it was Christ who caused the Jews to get upset over His teachings. [3] Christ’s followers, Christians, [4] had beliefs that are described as “mischievous”
Mara Bar-Serapion - Syrian Manuscript (ca. 70 – 200 CE)
What advantage did the Athenians gain from putting Socrates to death? Famine and plague came upon them as a judgment for their crime. What advantage did the men of Samos gain from burning Pythagoras? In a moment their land was covered with sand. What advantage did the Jews gain from executing their wise king? It was just after that that their kingdom was abolished. God justly avenged these three wise men: the Athenians died of hunger; the Samians were overwhelmed by the sea; the Jews, ruined and driven from their land, live in complete dispersion. But Socrates did not die for good; he lives on in the statue of Hera. Nor did the wise king die for good; he lives on in the teaching which he had given.
- [1] Jesus was considered to be a wise and virtuous man [2] addressed as the Jews king [3] Jesus executed unjustly by the Jews, suffering judgment soon after [4] Jesus lives on in His teachings
Lucian of Samosata, 2nd century
The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day - the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account…You see, these miguided creatures start with the general conviction that they are immortal for all time, which explains the contempt of death and voluntary self-devotion which are so common among them; and then it was impressed on them by their original lawgiver that they are all brothers, from the moment they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws. All this they take quite on faith, with the result that they despise all worldly goods alike, regarding them as merely common property.
- [1] Jesus was worshipped by Christians [2] who gave them teachings [3] and was crucified for doing so [4] His followers lived according to His laws and teachings by faith [5] they put their faith into action by disregard for material possessions
Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 18.3.3, ca 93 CE (Arabic version)
At this time [the time of Pilate] there was a wise man who was called Jesus. His conduct
was good and (he) was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and the
other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. But those
who had become his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had
appeared to them three days after his crucifixion, and that he was alive; accordingly he was
perhaps the Messiah, concerning whom the prophets have recounted wonders.
- [1] Jesus was known and recognized as a wise and virtuous man [2] had many Jewish and Gentile disciples [3] Pilate condemned Him to die [4] by crucifixion [5] the disciples reported that Jesus rose from the dead [6] had appeared to them on the third day [7] the disciples continued to proclaim His teachings [8] there was speculation Jesus was the Messiah that was foretold of by the prophets and predicted wonders [9] Jesus was known as the Christ
- Antiquities of the Jews, 20.9.1
…so he [Ananus the high priest] assembled the Sanhedrin of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others [or some of his companions]; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned…
[10] James was known as Jesus’ brother [11] James was accused of something regarding the early church (60s) [12] James was executed by order of the high priest
Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrian 43a, ca. 135 CE
There is a tradition (in a Barraitha): They hanged Yeshu on the Sabbath of the Passover. But for forty days before that a herald went in front of him (crying), "Yeshu is to be stoned because he practiced sorcery and seduced Israel and lead them away from God. Anyone who can provide evidence on his behalf should come forward to defend him." When, however, nothing favorable about him was found, he was hanged on the Sabbath of the Passover.
- [1] Jesus’ death by crucifixion [2] on the eve of Passover [3] judged by the Jews to be guilty of “sorcery” and leading Israel astray [4] because no witnesses came forward for Him He was killed
Acts of Pontius Pilate (Justin Martyr, First Apology, XXXV, ca. 150 CE)
And the expression, “They pierced his hands and feet,” was used in the reference to the nails of the cross which were fixed in His hands and feet. And after He was crucified, they cast lots upon His vesture, and they that crucified Him parted it among them. And that these things did happen you can ascertain in the “Acts” of Pontius Pilate.
Phlegon (Origen, Contra Celsum, XIV, ca. 240 CE)
Now Phlegon, in the thirteenth or fourteenth book, I think, of his Chronicles, not only ascribes to Jesus a knowledge of future events (although falling into confusion about some things that refer to Peter, as if they refered to Jesus), but also testified that the result corresponded to His predictions.
- Julius Africanus, XVIII
Phlegon records that, in the time of Tiberius Caesar, at full moon, there was a full eclipse of the sun from the sixth to the ninth hour.
[1] Jesus seemed to accurately predict a future event [2] there was an eclipse at the crucifixion from the 6th to the 9th hours [3] during the reign of Tiberius Caesar