The First Century

brianschmisek
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This is the First Century, a podcast devoted to stories from that influential period of history, including Rome, Judea, Christianity, and more. Your host is Dr. Brian Schmisek. Get ready to go back in time and enter a world before computers, the stagecoach, the printing press, or even stirrups for horses were invented. We are about to enter…The First Century

  1. 40M AGO

    Episode 21: Lucius Vitellius orders Pilate to Rome; Death of Tiberius

    After one too many provocations, the new Roman governor of Syria orders Pontius Pilate to Rome for a meeting with the emperor. But before he arrives, Tiberius dies at the age of 77.    SHOWNOTES The only account of the 'shields incident' appears within Agrippa’s letter to Gaius Caligula as presented by Philo, Embassy 38:299-305. The episode between Pilate and the Samaritans, and Pilate's being ordered to Rome is related by Josephus (Ant. 18.85-89). The story of Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus being accused in the Senate of treason, and acts of adultery and incest with his sister Lepida is from Suetonius (Nero, 5). The last days of Tiberius are told by Suetonius (Tib, 72-73, 75) and Tacitus (Ann. 6.50-51). The story of Herod Agrippa and his jailer is based on Josephus (Ant. 18.225-234).

    12 min

  2. FEB 7

    Episode Twenty: Problems with Parthians; Herod Agrippa imprisoned

    The Parthian king, harboring resentment against Tiberius, makes moves against the Roman empire. Tiberius enlists the help of Herod Antipas in dealing with the situation. Herod Agrippa presses his luck with the princeps and ends up under house arrest.  SHOWNOTES Artabanus had once penned a letter accusing Tiberius of murdering members of his own family, slaughtering innocent people, neglecting his duties, and indulging his lusts. Artabanus concluded the letter by urging Tiberius to satisfy the deep longings of his subjects and commit suicide (Suet, Tib, 66). Lucius used his deft diplomatic skills to entice Artabanus to offer his own young son Darius and a seven-foot tall “giant” named Eleazar, a Judean, as hostages for the peace treaty brokered by Antipas and Lucius Vitellius (Jos. Ant. 18.101). [Josephus tells this story prior to the death of John the Baptist. But Lucius Vitellius was governor of Syria closer to 35 and served until 39.]

    10 min

  3. JAN 31

    Episode Nineteen: Herod Agrippa's Discontent and Tiberius' musings about an heir

    Herod Agrippa and his wife Cypros are unhappy and attempt to change their fortune with mixed results. When updating his will, Tiberius considers his options in naming an heir.   SHOWNOTES Alexander Lysimachus, the port official known as the Alabarch, had a brother named Philo, an influential Jewish intellectual. (Jos. Ant. 18.259). Alexander also knew Antonia, the mother of Germanicus, Livilla, and Claudius, as he had acted as Antonia’s steward years earlier. (Jos. Ant. 19.276). In the spring of 36 then, Agrippa left for Italy, whereas his wife and children returned to Judea (Jos Ant. 18.159-160). Tiberius looked at Gaius while holding Gemellus and then said, “You will kill him, and another will kill you.” [Tacitus (6.46)]. Tiberius wasn’t sure that Gemellus was actually Drusus’ son. (Cassius Dio 58.23.1). There was a chance that Livilla had been impregnated by Sejanus. Macro went further and said to Tiberius, “I myself will see to Gemellus’ security. I am your friend Tiberius and I carried out your wishes when it comes to Sejanus. You can trust me.” (Philo, Embassy to Gaius, 6).

    9 min

  4. JAN 24

    Episode Eighteen: Activities on the Island of Capri; Sect of the Nazorean in Jerusalem

    Tiberius and the imperial court continue to engage in unusual behavior on Capri. After Gaius's pregnant wife dies, he begins an affair, promising to marry the woman if and when he becomes princeps. Tiberius gives his favorite adolescent boy a nickname and promotes the boy's father to higher office. The sect of the Nazorean continues to grow in Jerusalem.   SHOWNOTES Lucius Vitellius visited Gaius. Lucius and his three brothers, Publius, Aulus, and Quintus, came from an equestrian family. Their father, the procurator Publius Vitellius of Nuceria, was a Roman knight and a steward of Augustus’ property. Nuceria was situated at the foot of Mount Albino, about 20 km from Neapolis (modern day Naples). Gaius had a specially built track for chariot racing called the Gaianum. The Gaianum was east of the Via Triumphalis, about 300 m from where the Mausoleum of Hadrian would be built nearly 80 years later. Ultimately the construction of Saint Peter’s eliminated all traces of the Gaianum. (Lawrence Richardson, A New Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome [Johns Hopkins University Press, 1992], p. 180). Philip, Herod Antipas’ half-brother, passed away in 34 CE. Tiberius distributed his lands, the territories north and east of the river Jordan (Trachonitis, Gaulanitis, and the nation of the Bataneans), to the Roman province of Syria. Those of the sect of the Nazorean prayed that God might send the Messiah, the one already appointed, Jesus, who is in heaven and must remain there until the time of universal restoration, spoken of by the prophets (Acts 3:12-26). Simon of Cyrene and his two sons, Rufus and Alexander (Mark 15:21). Cyrene was a Greek city in eastern Libya (cf. Acts 2:10). Joseph of Arimathea (Matt 27:57-60; Mark 15:43-46; Luke 23:50-53; John 19:38). The Pharisee Nicodemus (John 3:1-21; 7:50-51; 19:39-42)

    10 min

  5. JAN 17

    Episode Seventeen: Pentecost in 33

    After the death of Jesus over Passover, some of his followers began to make fantastical claims. At Pentecost, Simon Peter addressed Jewish pilgrims about these beliefs, leading some to join the sect of the Nazorean.   SHOW NOTES Redemption would come from Mount Zion (Isa 2:2-4; 59:20, the latter cited in Rom 11:26). "Maranatha" (1 Cor 16:22; Didache 10:14)  "Afterward he [Jesus] journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources. (Luke 8:1-3; NABRE)   Kepha, the Aramaic term for ‘rock,’ had not been used for a personal name or even a nickname for any other person prior to that time. Yet, the biblical scholar J. Fitzmyer argues that in the 5th cent BCE there is evidence that it was used as a name (papyrus from Elephantine in Egypt). Fitzmyer also notes that this does not prove the word was used as a proper name among Palestinian Jews in the 1st century CE. James, Jesus’ brother claimed to have witnessed Jesus risen from the dead (1 Cor 15:7). During Jesus' time on earth, James and Jesus’ other brothers did not believe Jesus was the Messiah (John 7:5). At one time early in Jesus’ ministry, his family went to get him, thinking that he was mad, or literally, ‘out of his mind’ (Mark 3:21). When informed that Jesus’ brothers, sisters, and mother were there to get him, Jesus replied with a question, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he replied to his own question with a peculiar aphorism and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matt 12:48-50).   Some of Jesus's family members included Joses, Simon and Jude as well as sisters (cf. Matt 13:55-56). James and John, sons of Zebedee, had also been given a nickname in Aramaic by Jesus: “Boanerges,” which means ‘sons of thunder.’ (Cf. Luke 9:54; Mk 3:17) The story of the healing of Peter's mother-in-law is at Mark 1:29-31. Jesus had said that the judgment was coming and that there were some among them who would see it (Mark 9:1; Matt 16:28; Luke 9:27; cf Mark 13:30; 1 Thess 4:17). Jesus told the high priest Caiaphas that he would see Jesus' return as the Son of Man on the clouds of heaven (Mark 14:62). The disciples believed Jesus would remain in heaven until a future date appointed by God (Acts 3:21). See Acts 2 for some of the events at Pentecost. Andronicus and Junia (Rom 16:7)

    15 min

  6. JAN 10

    Episode Sixteen: The Death of Jesus of Nazareth

    After Jesus entered Jerusalem to cries of "Hosannah to the Son of David" the political and religious authorities work together to eliminate this potential threat.  Show Notes Jesus replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.’” (Luke 13:31-32 NABRE) "If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and you hang him on a tree, his corpse shall not remain on the tree overnight. You must bury it the same day; anyone who is hanged is a curse of God. (Deut 21:22-23; NABRE)  The Roman soldiers and temple police confronted Jesus at night so as not to cause a public scene and therefore risk a riot (cf. John 18:3). Jesus not only responded affirmatively but he also said to Caiaphas that: ‘you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.’” (Mark 14:62; NABRE) If the crowds thought this was the true ‘King of the Jews’, Pilate would display him as such and put a sign to that effect over the cross (cf. John 19:19).  “Whenever we crucify criminals…[we place them] where the greatest number of people can watch and be influenced by this threat; for every penalty is aimed not so much at the offense, as at its exemplary value.” -- Quintilian (A Roman Orator), Declamationes maiores 274.13. Yochanan [the beloved disciple] witnessed the crucifixion as did several other of Jesus’ followers, friends, his mother (cf. John 19:25-26), and more from a distance (cf. Luke 23:49).

    11 min

  7. JAN 3

    Episode Fifteen: The Death of John the Baptist; The intrigue between Agrippa and Antipas

    When Antipas has John executed, Jesus goes into hiding. A debt-ridden Agrippa is encouraged by his wife to seek help from his half-brother, the same Antipas.  SHOW NOTES Gemellus (b. 10 Oct 19) was the son of Drusus and Livilla

    9 min

  8. 12/20/2025

    Episode Fourteen: The Downfall of Sejanus

    Sejanus' past actions finally catch up with him and he is denounced and executed the same day on orders from Tiberius. A period of retribution ensnares family members and others.

    11 min
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About

This is the First Century, a podcast devoted to stories from that influential period of history, including Rome, Judea, Christianity, and more. Your host is Dr. Brian Schmisek. Get ready to go back in time and enter a world before computers, the stagecoach, the printing press, or even stirrups for horses were invented. We are about to enter…The First Century

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  • Creator
    brianschmisek
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The First Century