The First Century

Episode 38: The First Years of Claudius' Reign

To assist in the administration of the empire, Claudius empowered three freedmen: Pallas, Narcissus, and Callistus. In an attempt to calm the nerves of gardners who are haunted by Caligula's ghost, Julia Livilla and Agrippina exhume his body to give him a proper funeral.   Julia Livilla is taken as a threat by Messalina, who has her exiled and killed. Seneca is also accused but he is merely exiled to Corsica.  Claudius decreed a special edict for Jews in Rome forbidding them from meeting in public places.    SHOWNOTES The archaeological remains of the Lamian gardens: https://www.museoninfeo.it/en/the-museum/ [https://www.museoninfeo.it/en/the-museum/] Claudius' edict (Dio Cassius, Roman History, 60.6.6)

Episode 37: Claudius makes Herod Agrippa King of Judea

The new emperor Claudius began by repaying his friends and supporters, chief among them, Herod Agrippa, who was named King of Judea. At Herod Agrippa's urging, Claudius reaffirmed the Roman policy of religious tolerance, especially as it applied to the Jews.   Cassius, the governor of Asia, whose execution had been ordered by Caligula, escaped with his life due to the death of the princeps.  Julia Livilla and Agrippina return to Rome from exile. Julia Livilla finds herself on the wrong end of Messalina's wrath whereas Agrippa, the young, widowed mother, finds a new husband, that of her sister-in-law, Domitia Lepida.     SHOWNOTES That Claudius had become emperor, mirabili casu, by a remarkable chance (Suet., Claud. 10). Herod Agrippa material in this episode (Jos. Ant. 19.5-6) Material about Claudius, Messalina, and Agrippina comes from Tacitus, Annals, 11-12. Agrippina and Galba (Suet. Galba, 5).

Episode 36: Caligula Assassinated Claudius to the Throne

Gaius' cruelty finally caught up with him and he was the first of many emperors to be assassinated. His wife and daughter were also killed. In what later seemed like an accident of history, soldiers proclaimed the drooling and stuttering Claudius, who was hiding behind a curtain, to be the next princeps. The assassins were themselves put to death since it did not seem like a good idea to praise and reward those who killed the emperor. SHOWNOTES Gaius misreading the Fortunes and executes his former brother-in-law, Lucius Cassius Longinus (Suet, Caligula, 57.3 cf. Dio Cassius 59.29.2). Story of Gaius' assassination (Jos. Ant. 19.1.13 [93-98]). Story of the assassination of Gaius' wife and daughter (Jos. Ant. 19.2 [251-252]). Claudius giving the soldiers 15000 sesterces each (Suet. Claudius. 10.1) Execution of the assassins (Jos. Ant. 19.263-273).

Episode 35: Gaius returns to Rome for a double triumph

After 'victories' in Germania and Britannia, Gaius returned to Rome on Aug 31, 40 CE to celebrate a double triumph. Gaius orders Lepidus executed and then banished his own two sisters to the island of Pontus, where Agrippina becomes a proficient swimmer. Herod Agrippa returns to Rome and hosts Gaius at a fabulous dinner. Gaius is so impressed he grants Herod Agrippa a special wish. Agrippa only asks Gaius not to install his statue in the Jerusalem Temple. Gaius agrees, but ultimately is so incensed at Petronius, governor of Syria, that he orders him to commit suicide. The head of the praetorian guard gets the idea to rid the empire of the princeps.     SHOWNOTES Gaius and Petronius (Philo, Embassy to Gaius, §§ 278–289; Jos. Ant 18.8.2–9). Gaius' excess and cruelty in killing a father and his son (Seneca, De Ira 3.18; Cassius Dio 59.25.6). Gaius toying with the crowds while Cassius Charea gets an idea (Dio 59.25.5; Jos. Ant. 19.11 [70]).

Episode 34: Paul's Escape from Damascus and Visit to Jerusalem

After being in Arabia for three years, Paul returned to Damascus, where he was arrested. After a daring escape with the help of some friends, he made his way to Jerusalem where he stayed for fifteen days. While there, he met Peter, John, and James, the brother of the Lord. From them, he learned details about what Jesus did and said. He also learned many other sayings and statements that encapsulated the faith of those who believed Jesus was now at God's right hand. What he learned over these fifteen days confirmed and informed his own understanding about Jesus.    SHOWNOTES Paul being in Arabia for three years (Gal 1:18)  Escape from Damascus (2 Cor 11: 32-33; Acts 9:23-25) Four statement formula (1 Cor 15:3-5) Aramaic hymn in six stanzas about God highly exalting Jesus and giving him the name: Lord (Phil 2:6-11). The translation in the podcast is from Joseph Fitzmyer, According to Paul [https://www.amazon.com/According-Paul-Studies-Theology-Apostle/dp/0809133903], (1993) p. 103-4. Paul's recounting of the Last Supper (1 Cor 11:23-26). That the Christian community gathered on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:2). That Jesus said, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:28). That Jesus was in heaven now, and would return at a time appointed by God, though nobody knew precisely when that would be (Acts 3:21; cf. 1 Thess 1).  Jesus told his disciples that they would not even be able to go through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes (Matt 10:23). The prayer of the community was simply ‘Marana Tha’ an Aramaic term which meant, “Our Lord, Come!” (1 Cor 16:22; Didache 10:14). Aramaic statement of belief about Jesus:      Who was descended, From the seed of David, According to the flesh,      Who was appointed, Son of God, According to the Spirit of holiness as of his resurrection from the dead (Rom 1:3-4). Early Christian belief that after Jesus' death, God begot him by raising him from the dead and thereby making him his son (cf. Acts 13:32-33). Paul departed Jerusalem for Caesarea Maritima and beyond. He sailed to his hometown of Tarsus (Acts 9:30), capital of Cilicia, and visited that region, as well as Cyprus and Syria (Gal 1:21).