Christ Quote by Tacitus
“Auctor nominis eius Christus,Tiberio imperitante, per procuratorem Pontium Pilatum, supplicio affectus erat. Christ, the leader of the sect, had been put to death by the procurator Pontius Pilate in the reign of Tiberius.”
About This Quote
Source Historical Text: Annals by Tacitus, early 2nd century
The passage records that Christ, leader of a religious group, was executed under Pontius Pilate during Tiberius’s rule.
In simple terms: Christ was executed under Pilate in Tiberius’s reign.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the historical context of early Christianity.
Themes
history
religion
politics
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
historical
scholarly
critical
When to use this quote
- scholarship
- theology
- legal studies
- historical analysis
- religious studies
Key Concepts
Roman Empire
early Christianity
execution
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this tell us about Roman attitudes toward new sects?
- How reliable are such ancient accounts?
A Different Perspective
Historical records may be biased or incomplete.
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