Roman Rule Empire Caesars Flavians Golden Age The Caesars Roman Rulers Tiberius 14–37 Caligula 37–41 Claudius 41–54 Nero 54–68 Civil War (Galba, Otho, Vitellius) 68–69 Vespasian 69–79 Titus 79–81 Domitian 81–96 Nerva 96–98 Trajan 98–117 Hadrian 117–138 Roman Rule: The Caesars The Caesars 1. Tiberius (14–37) A. Jesus’ ministry (Lk. 3:1) B. Saul’s Damascus Road (Acts 9) C. Judea as an imperial province 1. Governed by procurators Pilate (26–36) Felix (52–58) Festus (58–62) Roman Rule: The Caesars The Caesars 1. Tiberius (14–37) B. Judea as an imperial province 2. First procuratorship brief prelude: Archelaus (4 B.C.–A.D. 6) time period: 6–41 3. Second procuratorship brief prelude: Herod Agrippa I (41–44) time period: 44–66 Archelaus First Procuratorship Agrippa I Second Procuratorship 4 B.C.– A.D.6 6–41 41–44 44–66 Roman Rule: The Caesars The Caesars Roman Rulers Tiberius 14–37 Caligula 3737––4141 Claudius 41–54 Nero 54–68 Civil War (Galba, Otho, Vitellius) 68–69 Vespasian 69–79 Titus 79–81 Domitian 81–96 Nerva 96–98 Trajan 98–117 Hadrian 117–138 Roman Rule: The Caesars The Caesars 2. Caligula (37–41) A. Herod Agrippa I (37–44) 1. Philip’s territory (37) 2. Antipas’s territory (39) B. Related Jewish Episodes 3. Alexandrian Riots (Philo’s Embassy, 39) 4. Temple Abomination statue ordered for Jerusalem temple early hint of emperor worship Roman Rule: The Caesars The Caesars Roman Rulers Tiberius 14–37 Caligula 37–41 Claudius 41–54 Nero 54–68 Civil War (Galba, Otho, Vitellius) 68–69 Vespasian 69–79 Titus 79–81 Domitian 81–96 Nerva 96–98 Trajan 98–117 Hadrian 117–138 Roman Rule: The Caesars The Caesars 3. Claudius (41–54) A. Kingship of Herod Agrippa I (37–44) 1. King of Judea (41–44) 2. Unexpected death (44) story of Acts 12 and Josephus precipitates second procuratorship B. Missionary Journeys of Paul (49–58) C. Edict of Claudius (49) Archelaus First Procuratorship Agrippa I Second Procuratorship 4 B.C.– A.D.6 6–41 41–44 44–66 Roman Rule: The Caesars The Caesars Edict of Claudius Suetonius Luke (Claudius 25.4) (Acts 18:2) “He banished from Rome “There he found a Jew all the Jews, who continual- named Aquila, a native of ly were making disturbances Pontus, who recently had at the instigation of one come from Italy with his Chrestus.” wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome.” Roman Rule: The Caesars The Caesars Roman Rulers Tiberius 14–37 Caligula 37–41 Claudius 41–54 Nero 54–68 Civil War (Galba, Otho, Vitellius) 68–69 Vespasian 69–79 Titus 79–81 Domitian 81–96 Nerva 96–98 Trajan 98–117 Hadrian 117–138 Roman Rule: The Caesars The Caesars 4. Nero (54–68) A. Two-Stage Reign 1. Good early reign (54–59): tutelege of mother, Agripinna II, with wise administrative advisors Seneca, famous Stoic philosopher Burrus, captain of Praetorian Guard 2. Bad later reign (59–68): kills mother and Burrus, forces Seneca into exile, then suicide context of fire of Rome (April 64) provokes Jewish rebellion (66–70) Roman Rule: The Caesars The Caesars Historical Significance: 1. The first time in history followers of Jesus are distinguished from synagogue Jews. 2. The probable cause of the loss of Peter and Paul in the persecution that followed. Roman Rule: The Caesars The Caesars 4. Nero (54–68) B. Suicide (68) 1. Provokes Nero conspiracy theories feared not really dead, but would return “Nero redivivus” myth: dead, but alive again legends entered apocalyptic traditions 2. Triggers Roman civil war Roman Rule: The Caesars The Caesars “And the beast that I saw was like a leopard, its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And the dragon gave it his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have received a death-blow, but its mortal wound had been healed.” (Rev. 13:2–3) Roman Rule: The Caesars The Caesars Roman Rulers Tiberius 14–37 Caligula 37–41 Claudius 41–54 Nero 54–68 Civil War (Galba, Otho, Vitellius) 6868––6969 Vespasian 69–79 Titus 79–81 Domitian 81–96 Nerva 96–98 Trajan 98–117 Hadrian 117–138 Roman Rule: The Caesars The Caesars 5. Civil War (68–69): Galba, Otho, Vitelius A. Three generals in 18 months 1. Galba (Spain): 7 months (June–January) 2. Otho (Rome): 3 months (January–April) 3. (Vitellius (Germany): 8 months (April–Dec.) B. Vespasian returns to Rome 4. Acclaimed by eastern legions (fulfills Josephus) 5. Leaves son Titus in Judea, defeats Vitellius C. Civil war confounds exegesis of Rev. 17:9–10 Roman Rule: The Caesars The Caesars “The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; also they are seven kings, of whom five have fallen, one is living, and the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain only a little while.” (Rev. 17:9–10) Roman Rule: The Caesars The Caesars Contributions: 1. Beginnings of Christianity 2. Advancement of Herods 3. Problematic procuratorships 4. Hints of emperor worship 5. Disaster of Nero 6. Trajedy of First Jewish War Roman Rule: The Caesars Roman Rule Empire Caesars Flavians Golden Age The Flavians Roman Rulers Tiberius 14–37 Caligula 37–41 Claudius 41–54 Nero 54–68 Civil War (Galba, Otho, Vitellius) 68–69 Vespasian 69–79 Titus 79–81 Domitian 81–96 Nerva 96–98 Trajan 98–117 Hadrian 117–138 Roman Rule: The Flavians The Flavians 1. Vespasian (69–79) A. New Roman Dynasty 1. Ends civil war, Julio-Claudian line (Augustus–Nero) 2. Establishes Flavian dynasty (two sons: Titus, Domitian) B. Titus concludes First Jewish War (66–70) C. Aristocratic Jews emigrate to Rome 3. Josephus turns historian (“Flavius” Josephus) 4. Bernice turns consort to Titus 5. Agrippa II turns regent in absentia, and is a probable Lukan historical source Roman Rule: The Flavians The Flavians Herod the Great = Mariamne Aristobulus IV = Bernice Alexander II Herod the Great + Malthace Herod Agrippa I Herodias = Herod Antipas Herod the Great + Mariamne II = Herod II (Philip I) Herod the Great + Cleopatra Salome = Philip (Tetrarch) Herod Agrippa II Bernice (+ Titus) Drusilla (+ Felix) Roman Rule: The Flavians The Flavians Roman Rulers Tiberius 14–37 Caligula 37–41 Claudius 41–54 Nero 54–68 Civil War (Galba, Otho, Vitellius) 68–69 Vespasian 69–79 Titus 79–81 Domitian 81–96 Nerva 96–98 Trajan 98–117 Hadrian 117–138 Roman Rule: The Flavians The Flavians 1. Titus (79–81) A. Stable Reign 1. Consolidates Flavian power 2. Strong ruler, able administrator 3. Reign cut short by fatal fever B. Notable Events 4. Eruption of Vesuvius (August 79) 5. Grand opening of Colosseum Roman Rule: The Flavians The Flavians Roman Rulers Tiberius 14–37 Caligula 37–41 Claudius 41–54 Nero 54–68 Civil War (Galba, Otho, Vitellius) 68–69 Vespasian 69–79 Titus 79–81 Domitian 81–96 Nerva 96–98 Trajan 98–117 Hadrian 117–138 Roman Rule: The Flavians The Flavians 1. Domitian (81–96) A. Increasing tyranny B. Increasing persecution 1. Religious trials (93–95) 2. Pretentious titles (“lord and god”) 3. Emperor worship (Asia Minor) evidence: 1 Clement, Pliny’s letter to Trajan, Ignatius of Antioch, Hegesippus Possible setting for Revelation Roman Rule: The Flavians The Flavians Bithynia Pliny’s Letter to Trajan, A.D. 112 (20 years after Domitian): “Others who were named by the informer said that they were Christians and then denied it, explaining that they had been, but had ceased to be such, some three years ago, some a good many years, and a few even twenty.” Roman Rule: The Flavians The Flavians Contributions: 1. Ended Rome’s civil war 2. Established new Roman dynasty 3. Post-war Jewish life in Rome 4. Emperor worship in Asia Minor 5. Christian persecution intensifies Roman Rule: The Flavians The Golden Age Empire Caesars Flavians Golden Age The Golden Age Roman Rulers Tiberius 14–37 Caligula 37–41 Claudius 41–54 Nero 54–68 Civil War (Galba, Otho, Vitellius) 68–69 Vespasian 69–79 Titus 79–81 Domitian 81–96 Nerva 96–98 Trajan 98–117 Hadrian 117–138 Roman Rule: The Golden Age The Golden Age 1. Nerva (96–98) A. Aristocrats, Senate revolt 1. Domitian murdered 2. End of Flavian dynasty B. Senate appointment 3. An aged, childless aristocrat 4. Brief respite for Christians 5. Instituted successful adoption policy solved imperial succession problem produced “Golden Age” of five emperors Roman Rule: The Golden Age The Golden Age The Golden Age Nerva 96–98 Trajan 98–117 Hadrian 117–138 Antoninus Pius 138–161 Marcus Arelius 161–180 Roman Rule: The Golden Age The Golden Age Roman Rulers Tiberius 14–37 Caligula 37–41 Claudius 41–54 Nero 54–68 Civil War (Galba, Otho, Vitellius) 68–69 Vespasian 69–79 Titus 79–81 Domitian 81–96 Nerva 96–98 Trajan 98–117 Hadrian 117–138 Roman Rule: The Golden Age The Golden Age 2. Trajan (98–117) A. Great general, administrator 1. Empire reaches greatest expanse 2. Popular with military and people 3. Numerous public works and buildings B. Vigorous pursuit of emperor cult 4. Becoming provincial policy 5. Christian persecution inevitable Pliny in Bithynia, Hadrian in Syria Martyrdom of Ignatius of Antioch Roman Rule: The Golden Age The Golden Age Bithynia Ignatius of Antioch Roman Rule: The Golden Age The Golden Age Trajan’s Response to Pliny, A.D.