Giotto, Adoration of the Magi, c. 1306.
Posted on 09/10/2018 7:27:36 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
There are three principal reasons why the 4 B.C. date has prevailed over 1 B.C. These reasons were articulated by Emil Schürer in A History of the Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ, also published in the 19th century. First, Josephus informs us that Herod died shortly before a Passover (Antiquities 17.9.3, The Jewish War 2.1.3), making a lunar eclipse in March (the time of the 4 B.C. eclipse) much more likely than one in December.
Second, Josephus writes that Herod reigned for 37 years from the time of his appointment in 40 B.C. and 34 years from his conquest of Jerusalem in 37 B.C. (Antiquities 17.8.1, War 1.33.8). Using so-called inclusive counting, this, too, places Herod's death in 4 B.C.
Third, we know that the reign over Samaria and Judea of Herod's son and successor Archelaus began in 4 B.C., based on the fact that he was deposed by Caesar in A.U.C. (Anno Urbis Conditae [in the year the city was founded]) 759, or A.D. 6, in the tenth year of his reign... Counting backward his reign began in 4 B.C. In addition, from Herod the Great's son and successor Herod Antipas, who ruled over Galilee until 39 B.C., who ordered the execution of John the Baptist (Mark 6:14-29) and who had a supporting role in Jesus' trial..., we have coins that make reference to the 43rd year of his rule, placing its beginning in 4 B.C. at the latest...
Jeroen H.C. Tempelman
New York, New York
(Excerpt) Read more at biblicalarchaeology.org ...
Giotto, Adoration of the Magi, c. 1306.
Getting an early start this year -- here's the Star of the East keyword:
A ping to the APoD list.
This topic was posted . A re-ping, lots of related links here.
© MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP
Sounds reasonable.
Hello Sunken Civ
After a long timeout I habe asked jimrob to restore my account.
It appears I’ve still been on your ping list.
Lotsa catching up to do.
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