The author: Cornelius Tacitus, (born around 52-55 A.D.) became a senator in the Roman government under Emperor Vespasian. In 112-3 A.D., Tacitus was the proconsul (governor) of Asia.
About the writing: Tactus wrote the following around 116 A.D. in his Annals. He writes of the Great Fire in Rome (64 A.D.) and how Emperor Nero had tried to stop the rumour that he (Nero) was behind the destruction by blaming the Christians.
What Tacitus wrote:"Therefore, to scotch the rumor Nero substituted as culprits, and punished with the utmost refinements of cruelty, a class of men, loathed for their vices, whom the crowd styled Christians. Christus, the founder of the name, had undergone the death penalty in the reign of Tiberius, by sentence of the procurator Pontius Pilatus, and the pernicious superstition was checked for a moment, only to break out once more, not merely in Judea, the home of the disease, but in the capital itself, where all things horrible or shameful in the world collect and find a vogue ...
"They (Christians) were covered with wild beasts' skins and torn to death by dogs; or they were fastened on crosses, and, when daylight failed were burned to serve as lamps by night. Nero had offered his gardens for the spectacle, and gave an exhibition in his circus, mixing with the crowd in the habit of a charioteer, or mounted on his car. Hence, in spite of a guilt which had earned the most exemplary punishment, there arose a sentiment of pity, due to the impression that they were being sacrificed not for the welfare of the state but to the ferocity of a single man." (Tacitus, Annals, Loeb edition 15. 44, words in brackets added.)
The Roman historian Seutonius described more of Emperor Nero’s ferocious and brutal acts.
“No sooner was twilight over than he would catch up a cap or a wig and go to the taverns or range about the streets playing pranks, which however were very far from harmless; for he used to beat men as they came home from dinner, stabbing any who resisted him and throwing them into the sewers.”
(From www.preteristarchive.com/StudyArchive/n/nero.html / Suetonius: De Vita Caesarum--Nero, c. 110 C.E.)
Jesus Christ was a real historical figure. (Matthew 1.18, 2 Peter 1.16, Acts 1.3, 1 John 1.1)
Jesus was killed during the reign of Caesar Tiberius. (14 A.D. – 37 A.D.). (Luke 2.1 – Jesus began his ministry shortly after John the Baptist.)
Jesus was sentenced to death under Pontius Pilate. (Matthew 27.11-26, Mark 15.1-15, Luke 23.1-6, 13-25, John 18.29-16)
Even by 64 A.D. (only 30 years after the death of Jesus) Christianity had spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire. Christians had, as the bible says, ‘turned the world upside down’. (Acts 17.6, KJV)
Christians were prepared to suffer and die for their faith. (Acts 5.29, Acts 5.40–42, Acts 7.54-60, Acts 8.1-3, Acts 12.2, Acts 20.22-24, Revelation 2.9-10)
Judea was a centre from which Christianity began. (Matthew 2.1, Luke 2.4)
Christianity originated in Roman times and the Roman Emperors were involved in dealing with Christians. (Matthew 22.21, Acts 22.27, Acts 25.11-12, Acts 28.17, Paul’s letter to the Romans)
Reference “He Walked Among Us”, Josh McDowell, Here’s Life Publisher, San Bernardino, Third Printing 1989. This book is full of excellent information with regards to the historical accuracy of the bible.
