Maybe the Nativity doesn't look quite like we think it does
The Nativity Story as seen from one of three important viewpoints–Judea, Parthia, and Rome.
Surena, also known as Rustaham Suren, was a Parthian general during the first century BCE. He is best known for defeating the Romans, under the command of triumvir Marcus Licinius Crassus at the Battle of Carrhae in 53 BCE. According Read More …
German-American sinologist (expert in Chinese studies) Friedrich Hirth (b.1845-d.1927), wrote China and the Roman Orient: Researches into Their Ancient and Medieval Relations as Represented in Old Chinese Records in 1885. In his book, he cites The Records of the Grand Read More …
The Parthian legislature was a bicameral institution. “Camera” is Latin for “chamber” hence, bi-cameral = two chambers. (Not to be confused with “two camels”.) The “upper house” was essentially the royals, or royal family—the Arsacid dynasty. The “lower house” consisted Read More …
Immediately upon ascending the throne of the Roman client kingdom of Judaea, Herod the Great took it upon himself to appoint whomever he chose to the office of High Priest. His fifth appointment, in roughly 21 BCE, was one Simon, Read More …
(1) And it came to pass in those days {that} a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. (2) This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. (3) So, all went to Read More …
It never ceases to amaze me how seemingly odd but interesting facts come across my desk as part of God Save the King. Nikolaos of Damascus was a Hellenized Jew, born in Damascus in 64 BCE. In 39 BCE he Read More …
Frankincense was an aromatic tree resin used as incense. It was a luxury item, but was traded in large quantities because of significant use in religious observance and by the wealthy. According to the Roman author and naturalist Pliny the Read More …
We are excited to announce that Tim will be interviewed by Shannon Davis on Omegaman Radio, Wednesday August 17 from 10:00-11:00 PM; and again on Wednesday August 31, from 8:00-9:00 PM, Eastern time. On Episode 9504 of Omegaman Radio, that Read More …
Weekly Update for June 29, 2022. This week’s radio show on Truth Be Told Radio Network Video archive Excerpt from Jerusalem Troubled: The Rise and Fall of Herod the Great This Week’s Radio Show on TBTRN: The House and Lineage Read More …
The Psalms of Solomon are a pseudepigraphal work written in the mid-to-late first century BCE. It consists of eighteen psalms (songs or poems) that stylistically resemble the biblical psalter. In its most general sense, a pseudepigraphal work is an ancient Read More …