Did Jesus of Nazareth really exist? In this episode, we explore what historians and scholars say about the historical Jesus — not the religious figure of the Gospels, but the man who may have lived in first-century Judea.
We examine non-Christian sources that mention Jesus, including ancient writers like Josephus, Tacitus, Suetonius, Pliny the Younger, Lucian, and Mara bar Serapion. What did these authors say about Jesus? Are their accounts authentic? And what can we learn from them about the origins of Christianity?
We also discuss the famous Testimonium Flavianum, the controversial passage in Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews, and analyze whether it was altered by later Christian scribes. You’ll learn how scholars separate authentic references from forgeries, and why the lack of archaeological evidence isn’t unusual for figures of that time.
📚 Topics Covered:
-The historical context of Jesus and early Christianity
-What non-Christian sources say about Jesus
-Josephus and the Testimonium Flavianum
-Tacitus and the fire of Rome
-Suetonius and the Claudius expulsion
-Pliny the Younger’s letter to Trajan
-Lucian and Mara bar Serapion on the crucified “wise king”
-Why Jesus might not have been famous during his lifetime
-Lost sources, Christian forgeries, and Middle Ages censorship
Whether you're religious, skeptical, or just curious, this episode breaks down the historical evidence for Jesus — clearly, critically, and based on academic research.
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss other stories from the ancient world, where the truth is often more dramatic than fiction.
This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/IQPhfuanqHg
Visit our website: https://parabellumhistory.com
Our merchandise store: https://parabellumstore.creator-spring.com/
Music from our podcast: https://share.epidemicsound.com/xk7k44/?playlist=kgati2pa4pi3mz2hsib867syv6zjdzqh
Listen early & support the channel on Patreon: https://patreon.com/ParaBellumHistoryChannel
🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbanas