Cornelius Tacitus: He was a Roman historian who lived from 55 to 120 CE and wrote a book Annals, circa 112 CE.
Suetonius: He was the author of The Lives of the Caesars circa 120 CE.
Flavius Josephus: He was a Jewish historian who was born in 37 CE.
The Talmud states that Jesus lived in the 2nd century BCE.
Like I said earlier, the assertion that Jesus is not a historical figure or that he did not live in the early 1st century CE is held by a very small number of academics. There were just too many eye-witnesses to his life, death, and resurrection.
I still think Josh McDowell's Evidence That Demands A Verdict (volumes 1 and 2) is still the best reference to give to someone who denies the obvious. And the best tool to use with the individual in such a state of spiritual blindness is prayer.
The Romans pretty much didn't care who you worshipped as long as you behaved yourself. The Jews knew prophesy that a "King" was coming. They thought the messiah was going to establish an earthly kingdom, and get them out from under Roman rule. Up until the day he died, that's what his own disciples thought. They didn't understand what Jesus was here to do. I think that’s one of the reasons why they left him, bless their hearts. They were scared to death for one thing, but as the hours passed, they realized their “dream” of an earthly Kingdom was coming to an end. It took them a few days or weeks to put the pieces together.
The Pharisees and Sadducees hated Jesus because of his power and the following he had, among other things. They were the only authority on the scriptures, and along comes a plan Jewish carpenter, a NO BODY, telling them what to do. They were legalistic hand washers and only perfect people could go into the temple, meaning them. Jesus wanted everyone to have access to God. The symbolism of the curtain in the temple ripping when he died, is significant.
If you will remember, there was a strong and powerful group of Jews who HATED the Romans. HATED THEM!!!!!! They were the Zealots, right? There were Zealots in Jesus' following. The Romans were terrified of them and the trouble they could possibly cause. Pilot was under a great deal of pressure to keep the peace in his area. When dangerous mobs of Zealots are screaming "Crucify him", he did it because he was afraid, I would assume. His wife told him not to do it, but he didn't listen to her.
Romans may have been civilized, but crucifixion was a common execution. Another thing this writer needs to understand is some of the "story" may seem weird, but it HAD to happen the way it did, to fulfill prophecy.
I hope I’m not too far off here, because it all came from my head without looking any of it up. Correct me if I’m wrong.