The Apostolic Age · AD 4–70 · External witness
Emperor Tiberius
42 BC – AD 37 · Roman Emperor · Reigning at the Crucifixion · Rome → Capri
External witness
Who Emperor Tiberius was
The emperor under whom, as every apologist's chronology fixes it, Christ was crucified in Judaea. Justin dates the Passion to his reign for his Roman readers; Tertullian goes further, reporting the tradition that Tiberius laid news from Palestine before the Senate and proposed Christ's deification — a story the Senate, and modern historians, declined.
Also listed in non-christian witnesses and roman emperors.
Common questions
When did Emperor Tiberius live?
Emperor Tiberius is dated 42 BC – AD 37 in the archive, which places Emperor Tiberius in the Apostolic Age (AD 4–70).
Which early sources mention Emperor Tiberius?
Emperor Tiberius is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Justin Martyr, Tertullian and Eusebius of Caesarea. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Emperor Tiberius from?
The archive associates Emperor Tiberius with Rome, Capri. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Emperor Tiberius’ contemporaries?
The archive links Emperor Tiberius to 5 other figures, including Pontius Pilate, Joseph Caiaphas, Annas (Ananus I) and Lysanias of Abilene. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (3)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
First Apology 13
c. AD 155Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, the procurator of Judaea, in the times of Tiberius Caesar.Justin Martyr · 13 · source text
Apology 5
c. AD 200Tiberius accordingly, in whose days the Christian name made its entry into the world, having himself received intelligence from Palestine, brought the matter before the senate, with his own decision in favour of Christ.Tertullian · 5 · source text
Ecclesiastical History II.2 (the report of Pilate to Tiberius)
c. AD 325Tiberius, in whose time the Christian name first entered the world, reported to the Senate the things announced to him from Palestine.Eusebius of Caesarea · Ecclesiastical History II.2 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Emperor Tiberius.
- 1Rome