Roman Execution of Jesus

Tacitus

Annals 15.44.2–5

ca. 105–116

Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular.

Translated by Alfred John Church and William Jackson Brodribb.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.

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This relatively early passage from the Annals of Tacitus (ca. 56–120 CE) refers in passing to Jesus’ death at the hands of Pilate. It has often been cited as evidence of the first state-sponsored Roman persecution of Christians, during the emperorship of Nero (r. 54–68 CE). Nero’s alleged execution of Christians following the fire in Rome in 64 CE is seen by many as an inaugural event in the history of Christian martyrdom. It is suspect, though, that no other extant Roman primary source prior to 100 CE uses the term Christian. Another historical problem in Tacitus’ account is that after this proposed persecution in 64 CE, the sources are virtually silent on such policies until the early second century.

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