I've been researching Augustus (for an essay on his appearances in the
Aeneid), and I was struck by the contrast created by Augustus and his supporters working away to refashion the world into the Roman Empire, ruled (at least in most people's perceptions) by one man, completely oblivious to the real world-changing events happening in a small corner of his empire. I wonder if report ever reached Rome (before St. Peter arrived) of a small disturbance in Palestine, and the execution of a Man said to be a dangerous rebel? Or of reports that He had risen again?
picture: Augustus of Prima Porta
source: Wikimedia Commons
Slightly off topic, but welcome to the Catholic blogosphere!!
ReplyDeleteThis is our earliest Roman source, perhaps you already know it...
ReplyDeleteSed non ope humana, non largitionibus principis aut deum placamentis decedebat infamia, quin iussum incendium crederetur. ergo abolendo rumori Nero subdidit reos et quaesitissimis poenis adfecit, quos per flagitia invisos vulgus Chrestianos appellabat. auctor nominis eius Christus Tibero imperitante per procuratorem Pontium Pilatum supplicio adfectus erat; repressaque in praesens exitiablilis superstitio rursum erumpebat, non modo per Iudaeam, originem eius mali, sed per urbem etiam, quo cuncta undique atrocia aut pudenda confluunt celebranturque. igitur primum correpti qui fatebantur, deinde indicio eorum multitudo ingens haud proinde in crimine incendii quam odio humani generis convicti sunt. et pereuntibus addita ludibria, ut ferarum tergis contecti laniatu canum interirent aut crucibus adfixi [aut flammandi atque], ubi defecisset dies, in usu[m] nocturni luminis urerentur. hortos suos ei spectaculo Nero obtulerat, et circense ludicrum edebat, habitu aurigae permixtus plebi vel curriculo insistens. unde quamquam adversus sontes et novissima exempla meritos miseratio oriebatur, tamquam non utilitate publica, sed in saevitiam unius absumerentur.
Tacitus, Ann. 15.44
Thanks, Beppe, I hadn't come across that before.
ReplyDelete