Look for any podcast host, guest or anyone
Showing episodes and shows of

Brianschmisek

Shows

The First Century
The First CenturyEpisode 21: Lucius Vitellius orders Pilate to Rome; Death of TiberiusAfter one too many provocations, the new Roman governor of Syria orders Pontius Pilate to Rome for a meeting with the emperor. But before he arrives, Tiberius dies at the age of 77.    SHOWNOTES The only account of the 'shields incident' appears within Agrippa’s letter to Gaius Caligula as presented by Philo, Embassy 38:299-305. The episode between Pilate and the Samaritans, and Pilate's being ordered to Rome is related by Josephus (Ant. 18.85-89). The story of Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus being accused in the Senate of treason, and acts of adulte...
2026-02-1412 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Twenty: Problems with Parthians; Herod Agrippa imprisonedThe Parthian king, harboring resentment against Tiberius, makes moves against the Roman empire. Tiberius enlists the help of Herod Antipas in dealing with the situation. Herod Agrippa presses his luck with the princeps and ends up under house arrest.  SHOWNOTES Artabanus had once penned a letter accusing Tiberius of murdering members of his own family, slaughtering innocent people, neglecting his duties, and indulging his lusts. Artabanus concluded the letter by urging Tiberius to satisfy the deep longings of his subjects and commit suicide (Suet, Tib, 66). Lucius used his deft diplomatic skills to entice A...
2026-02-0709 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Nineteen: Herod Agrippa's Discontent and Tiberius' musings about an heirHerod Agrippa and his wife Cypros are unhappy and attempt to change their fortune with mixed results. When updating his will, Tiberius considers his options in naming an heir.   SHOWNOTES Alexander Lysimachus, the port official known as the Alabarch, had a brother named Philo, an influential Jewish intellectual. (Jos. Ant. 18.259). Alexander also knew Antonia, the mother of Germanicus, Livilla, and Claudius, as he had acted as Antonia’s steward years earlier. (Jos. Ant. 19.276). In the spring of 36 then, Agrippa left for Italy, whereas his wife and children returned to Judea (Jos Ant...
2026-01-3109 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Eighteen: Activities on the Island of Capri; Sect of the Nazorean in JerusalemTiberius and the imperial court continue to engage in unusual behavior on Capri. After Gaius's pregnant wife dies, he begins an affair, promising to marry the woman if and when he becomes princeps. Tiberius gives his favorite adolescent boy a nickname and promotes the boy's father to higher office. The sect of the Nazorean continues to grow in Jerusalem.   SHOWNOTES Lucius Vitellius visited Gaius. Lucius and his three brothers, Publius, Aulus, and Quintus, came from an equestrian family. Their father, the procurator Publius Vitellius of Nuceria, was a Roman knight and a steward of Augustus’ prop...
2026-01-2410 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Seventeen: Pentecost in 33After the death of Jesus over Passover, some of his followers began to make fantastical claims. At Pentecost, Simon Peter addressed Jewish pilgrims about these beliefs, leading some to join the sect of the Nazorean.   SHOW NOTES Redemption would come from Mount Zion (Isa 2:2-4; 59:20, the latter cited in Rom 11:26). "Maranatha" (1 Cor 16:22; Didache 10:14)  "Afterward he [Jesus] journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mar...
2026-01-1714 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Sixteen: The Death of Jesus of NazarethAfter Jesus entered Jerusalem to cries of "Hosannah to the Son of David" the political and religious authorities work together to eliminate this potential threat.  Show Notes Jesus replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.’” (Luke 13:31-32 NABRE) "If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and you hang him on a tree, his corpse shall not remain on the tree overnight. You must bury it the same day; anyone who is hanged...
2026-01-1011 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Fifteen: The Death of John the Baptist; The intrigue between Agrippa and AntipasWhen Antipas has John executed, Jesus goes into hiding. A debt-ridden Agrippa is encouraged by his wife to seek help from his half-brother, the same Antipas.  SHOW NOTES Gemellus (b. 10 Oct 19) was the son of Drusus and Livilla
2026-01-0308 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Fourteen: The Downfall of SejanusSejanus' past actions finally catch up with him and he is denounced and executed the same day on orders from Tiberius. A period of retribution ensnares family members and others. 
2025-12-2011 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Thirteen: Galilean Pilgrims in Jerusalem; Death of Livia; The Persecution of Agrippina and her two oldest sons.In Jerusalem some Galilean pilgrims run into trouble when making a sacrifice. Livia, the Augusta, passes away at the age of 84, attributing her long life to the regular consumption of a particular wine. And with her passing, Sejanus has an opening to eliminate Agrippina and her two oldest sons. 
2025-12-1309 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Twelve: John the Baptist, mentor to Jesus of NazarethJohn the Baptist finds a worthy apprentice in the person of Jesus, from the small village of Nazareth in Galilee. Together they baptize many people before John is arrested by Herod Antipas, driving Jesus into hiding. The imprisoned John has a question for Jesus who replies with a mix of scripture and a beatitude for John himself.  
2025-12-0609 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Eleven: Herod Antipas makes a bold move and incurs the judgment of his father-in-law and a local prophetHerod Antipas, attracted to his niece Herodias, the wife of his half-brother, decides to divorce his own wife, Phaesalis, the daughter of Aretas, King of the Nabateans. He will then marry Herodias himself. Antipas secures support from Rome for his plan, but it invokes the wrath of Aretas and a wilderness prophet named John. 
2025-11-2907 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Ten: Pontius Pilate arrives in Judea as Prefect; Imperial MarriagesThe equestrian Pontius Pilate takes up duties as Prefect of Judea without a legate of Syria in the region, only to be confronted with potential problems. Members of the imperial family find partners in marriage. 
2025-11-2213 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Nine: Death of Tiberius' son Drusus means new co-heirs; Herod Antipas' building projects and Pilate sent to JudeaWhen Tiberius's son Drusus dies the princeps names as co-heirs the oldest sons of Agrippina. Herod Antipas engages in building projects and secures an alliance with the Nabateans. Tiberius quarrels with Agrippina and his mother Livia before departing for Capri. 
2025-11-1514 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Eight: Germanicus' Triumph and Death; Imperial justice, clemency, and the vestal virginsGermanicus and his family celebrate a triumph in Rome after avenging the loss of the Teutoburg forest. He is rewarded with an appointment in the East only to fall ill and die under mysterious circumstances. In the capital, Tiberius demonstrates imperial justice and clemency, influenced by a vestal virgin. 
2025-11-0814 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Seven: Battle of the Teutoburg Forest (9 CE) and the Death of Augustus (14 CE)The first decade of the first century saw a terrible defeat for the Roman army. Three legions were destroyed in Germania. General Varus and his men, who were leading the expedition, committed suicide after witnessing their devastating loss. Five years later, Augustus passed away at the age of 75. 
2025-11-0114 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Six: The Death of Lucius and Gaius, Octavian's grandsons, and revolts in JudeaAfter Augustus' two most prominent and promising grandsons died within a span of less than two years, another succession quandary is created. And Judea sees revolts against Roman rule.
2025-10-2514 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Five: The Death of Herod the GreatWhen Herod the Great died, his will needed to be ratified by Augustus, which led to political intrigue.
2025-10-1814 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Four: The Death of Marcus AgrippaAugustus' key ally died, creating an opening for new heir. 
2025-10-1112 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Three: Octavian Declared AugustusAfter the civil wars, Octavian was declared Augustus by the Roman Senate, and a period of stability followed. Herod the Great rules in Judea. 
2025-09-2813 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode Two: The Assassination of Julius Caesar, Antipater and the AftermathJulius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BCE followed by Antipater the following year. Each would have a profound impact on first century.  
2025-09-2811 minThe First Century
The First CenturyEpisode One: A Scorching Summer in SamariaPilate puts down a religious movement at Mount Gerizim before we step back and see how Rome came to rule this region.  SHOWNOTES Josephus, Ant. 18.55-59; War 2:175-203. Roman nobility had three ranks: curials, equestrians, and senators. To be an equestrian required free birth, certain moral standards and most importantly, wealth equating to at least 400,000 sesterces. (Pliny NH 33.32). Pilate’s time in Judea was punctuated by his ‘venality, thefts, assaults, abusive behavior, and his frequent murder of untried prisoners’ (Philo, Embassy to Gaius, 38.302). Antipater (114 – 43 BCE) was from Idumea, a region ju...
2025-09-2811 min