Without recourse. All Rights Reserved. Tree of Life©
Statement of belief: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word
is truth.” (John 17:17 KJV)
Updated 5929± 09 27 2025 [2008-12-25]
Cross
Correlating Recorded History
Surrounding
the New Testament Time Period
with
Exactly Dated Astronomical Events
A
listing of 21± celestial and 3 other events, one dated in 588 BCE, the rest
from 49 BCE thru 77 CE, matched to historical records tied to the reigns of
various Roman Emperors and other dated historical events
Abstract:
Below is a table of nine
(9) comets, seven (7) solar eclipses, four (4) lunar eclipses, two (2) earth
quakes, one (1) or possibly two volcanic eruptions, and one (1) dated lunar zodiac
constellation, each of which has been matched to key historical events from 49
BCE through 77 CE. Based upon these matches, plus a large number of matches
based upon the New Moons of the biblical calendar as referenced in the New
Testament and by Josephus, I cannot avoid concluding that…
It is time
for a paradigm shift re the dating of historical events surrounding the
beginning of the Christian era!
In order to arrive at a
more correct and reliable chronology of history many dates presently considered
well known and well established by conventional historians - though without
matches to celestial events described in historical records - must be shifted
back in time between five and fifteen years relative to the dates usually
provided within conventional historical works. This applies to all the events
in the New Testament as well as to the regnal periods of the Roman Emperors.
Josephus, Suetonius and Tacitus constitute three apparently independent witnesses agreeing with one another perfectly in most instances, while also being more or less concurrent in time with the events here described.
Josephus is describing a
number of exactly dated events which presently seem to have been nailed down
fairly solidly upon the cross of exact astronomical tables of solar and lunar
eclipses and phases of the moon. Josephus is referencing one important lunar
eclipse (9 BCE) and one comet (54 CE) within the period of time here
considered.
One
historical fingerprint with many particulars is the period of time surrounding
Herod the Great’s reign.
I gratefully acknowledge
the tremendous work done by Ronald L. Conte Jr. in identifying most of the
within correlations between historical and celestial events. One part of the
within work consists merely in consolidating the astronomical events already
identified by Ronald L. Conte Jr., and in further establishing and revising the
exact dates based [primarily] upon Josephus’ works and upon the available
quotes from Suetonius and Tacitus. Another most important part of the within
work is based [primarily] upon the most reliable Greek manuscripts of the New
Testament, the Textus Receptus, and the references to time as there specified.
Further verification has been found in Shem Tov’s Hebrew Matthew, which is a
late transcript of an original Hebrew text of the Gospel of Matthew from which
the Greek manuscripts of Matthew are obviously translated (cf. this link!)
For
additional detail of the below table please click here!.
For
a listing of dated New Testament events and the supporting
calculations and references click here.
For
a listing of the starting and ending dates of the twelve Roman Emperors
from Julius Caesar through Domitian, and the supporting calculations
and references, click here.
For
an outline of the events of the War and the Destruction of Jerusalem by
Titus, and the supporting calculations and references, click here.
In contrast to data
presented in the table below, please notice the
glaring absence of any significant correlations between exactly dated
celestial events and conventional Roman and New Testament chronologies.
NOTICE:
To see the movies you may need to download the free Quicktime 6.0
or later software. Or else go get
your copy of the Starry Night
Backyard software, per chance you’ll find a free trial offer, and make your
own studies of the starry skies as I did mine.
|
# |
What: |
When: |
References and Quotes: |
|
1 |
Solar eclipse prediction |
July 29, 588 BCE |
Notice: This solar
eclipse is one of two very important anchor points for the Olympic calendar
and its use in ancient times. The second
one is the November 24, 29 CE total solar eclipse. Notice: This total solar eclipse is, more than likely, the
one being referenced by Pliny as having occurred in the 4th year of the 48th
Olympiad, which year began July 1, 588 BCE. This July 29, 588 BCE annular
solar eclipse was visible from northern Quoting MrEclipse.com: "The
original discovery (of the cause of eclipses) was made in “Probably refers to the total solar eclipse of 28 May 585 BC. [Cf. http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhistory/SEpath/SE-0584May28T.html & http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhistory/SEplot/SE-0584May28T.gif
] |
|
2 |
A comet |
49 BCE, April 14 – May 12 |
Pliny quoting Augustus: “ ‘On the very days of my Games a comet was
visible for seven days in the northern part of the sky. It was [in “the
eleventh hour of the day”], and was a bright star visible from all lands.’ ” (Pliny, Natural History, 2.23.) Quoting Ronald L.
Conte Jr.: “This comet is often
depicted in ancient images of Julius Caesar. “In 49 B.C., Chinese
astronomers recorded seeing a comet during the lunar month of April 14 to May
12 in the constellation Cassiopeia.819 This constellation, as seen
from “The comet associated
with the death of Julius Caesar was seen either an hour before, or a little
after, sunset. This time frame for the visibility of the comet fits the 49
B.C. comet. During this time period (April 14 to May 12), the constellation
Cassiopeia was above the horizon and clearly visible from “Based on the above
information, the comet of 49 B.C. is the only fit for the information given
by Pliny and Augustus for the comet following the death of Julius Caesar.
This comet was located in the northern part of the sky, was visible about the
eleventh hour of the day, and could well have been rising at that time of
day. “The above information on
both comets and solar eclipses points to the same conclusion… Julius Caesar
died in mid March of 49 B.C...” 810 Pliny, Natural History, 2.23. The
same comet is also mentioned by numerous other ancient writers. See Kronk, Cometography, p. 22, for
a listing. 819 Kronk, Cometography, p. 21. 820 RedShift
3 astronomy software. Cometary data are from Gary W. Kronk, Cometography, A Catalog of Comets, (Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 1999) |
|
3 |
Solar eclipse |
49 BCE, August 9, at |
Pliny: “Portentous and protracted eclipses of the sun occur, such as the
one after the murder of Caesar the dictator….” Pliny, Natural History, 2.30. Julius Caesar
is obviously the one referred to as the dictator who was murdered. The circumstances
of his death, described by Suetonius, Josephus, and others make it clear
Julius Caesar was murdered. And he was long thought of, and referred to, in
ancient |
|
4 |
A comet |
32 BCE, in the lunar month beginning on February 6 |
Dio: “…and for many days a flaming torch was seen to rise over the sea
in the direction of |
|
5 |
A comet |
15/16 BCE, most likely sometime between March and
December |
Associated historical
events: 1. After Agrippa died. 2.
Yeshua’s birth / Quirinius – at the time of the census / Augustus. “…connected with Agrippa’s death.” Dio, Roman History, Volume VI, Loeb Classical
Library, 54.30.1. |
|
6 |
A total lunar eclipse |
9 BCE, “Nov 28
18:41 t” - UT |
Josephus: “But Herod deprived this Matthias of the
high priesthood, and burnt the other Matthias, who had raised the sedition,
with his companions, alive. And that very night there was an eclipse of the moon.” Josephus, Antiquties, XVII:6:4. |
|
7 |
“The sun suffered a total
eclipse” |
5 CE, March 28 (hybrid) and
September 22 (Annular) – both eclipses visible in
north east Africa, or… 9 CE, January 15 (annular) visible on
the African east coast and Madagascar, or… 10 CE, June 30 at 11:19
hours (time of greatest eclipse). Only visible as
partial eclipse over the Roman Empire. |
Dio Cassius describes a
solar eclipse as one of the portents occurring before the death of Caesar
Augustus: “During
a horse-race at the Augustalia, which were celebrated in honour of
his birthday [Caesar Augustus’ birthday was September 23 (pre-Julian revision
date,)] a madman seated himself in the chair which was dedicated to Julius
Caesar, and taking his crown, put it on. This incident disturbed everybody,
for it seemed to have some bearing upon Augustus, as, indeed, proved true.
For in the following year, when Sextus Apuleius and Sextus Pompeius
were consuls, Augustus set out for Campania, and after
superintending the games at Neapolis, passed away shortly afterward at Nola.
Indeed, not a few omens
had appeared,
and these by no means difficult of interpretation, all pointing to this fate
for him. Thus, the sun
suffered a total eclipse and most of the sky seemed to be on fire; glowing embers
appeared to be falling from it and blood-red comets were seen.” (Dio, Roman History,
Volume VII, Loeb Classical Library, 56.29.3.) |
|
8 |
A total lunar eclipse |
10 CE, December 10
at 03:30 UTC (04:44± solar time in
|
Dio : “For the
troops in Pannonia
had mutinied as soon as they learned of the death of Augustus…But when the moon suffered eclipse, they took the omen to heart and their spirit
abated, so that they did no further harm to this detachment and dispatched
envoys again to Tiberius.” (Cassius Dio,
Roman History, LVII, 4, Loeb Classical Library, Translation
by Earnest |
|
|
A solar eclipse |
April 8, 4 CE; March 28, 5
CE; September 22, 5 CE; February 15, 17 CE; or June 29, 19 CE. |
Origen (“ca 185 - ca 254 A.D.,”) "Contra Celsus" (248 A.D.:) "And
with regard to the eclipse in the time of Tiberius Caesar, in whose reign
Jesus appears to have been crucified, and the great earthquakes which then
took place, Phlegon too, I think, has written in the thirteenth or fourteenth
book of his Chronicles;" (Origen,
Contra Celsum, II:33 (Google
Book search;) Origen, Contra Celsus, Book II, Chapter 33 (New Advent)) |
|
|
Phases of the moon
correlations |
1) Tishri 1, 1 BCE [Common Jewish
calendar] vs. September 19, 1 BCE. 2) Adar 4, 23 CE vs. March 16, 23 CE. |
Two examples out of many, too numerous to
count, within this revised chronology: Re Caesar Tiberius’ reign: 1) “Dio… states that Tiberius died
on March 26, after a reign of 22 years, 7 months, and 7 days.977.“ 977 Dio, Roman History, Volume VII,
Loeb Classical Library, 58.28.5. (From Conte, Important
Dates in the Lives of Jesus and Mary.) An important
confirmation and a note re Dio: If Dio’s
statement above is correct and if he is using a Julian calendar and if
Tiberius died March 26, 23 CE, then, per the above quote, Tiberius’ reign
began September 19 or 20, 1 BCE depending upon whether or not Dio is counting
the days inclusively. It is important to notice that Tishri 1, 1 BCE (the
beginning Tiberius 1st civil year of reign as reckoned by a Jewish
calendar, but not including his accession year) may well correspond to September 19, 1 BCE, which is evidence that Dio is basing his count of
Tiberius’ reign upon a Jewish source, very possibly upon Josephus?, while
probably not fully comprehending all the intricacies of the time reckoning
used by his Jewish source. However, the fact that Dio’s date falls on Tishri
1 is strong confirmation that indeed Tiberius’ reign began in 1 BCE, because
from 11 BCE through 18 CE only 1 BCE
and 8 CE allows for Tishri 1 falling on either September 19 or 20, i.e. it is
a relatively rare incidence. 2)
A.
“This was told to
Tiberius by one of Agrippa's domestics, who thereupon was very angry, and
ordered Agrippa to be bound, and had him very ill-treated in the prison for
six months, until Tiberius died, after he had reigned
twenty-two years, six months, and three days.” (Josephus, Wars of the
Jews, II, Ch. 9:5.)
B.
“Suetonius states that Tiberius died
on March 16. 976” 976 Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars, p. 150.
See also: Suetonius, Lives of the Caesars, Loeb Classical Library,
3.73.1. (Conte, Important Dates in the Lives of Jesus and
Mary.) Notice: For the years 16 CE until 42 CE, 23 CE, the only
year where the 4th day of a biblical month may possibly fall on
March 16 is 23 CE. This fact is strong confirmation for this being the correct
year of Tiberius’ death. Dio provides further confirmation, cf. above! |
|
[Cf. #10!] |
A solar eclipse and a
proclamation issued by Caesar Claudius. |
Cf. item # 8 below! Shortly before the death of
Caesar Caius [Caius died
on January 24, 27 CE] there was a total solar eclipse on the birthday
(August 1) of Claudius (who was then probably a Roman consul and) who was to
become the next emperor on the Roman throne. Although Claudius may or may not
have been aware of this celestial event at the time it occurred, it might
have had an impact upon him at a later date.
Dio states: “In
mental ability he [Claudius] was by no means inferior, as his faculties had
been in constant training (in fact, he had actually written some historical
treatises); but he was sickly in body, so that his head and hands shook
slightly.” (Cassius Dio, Roman History, Book LX.) |
|
|
9 |
A solar eclipse |
NASA: Path,
timing
(path
cashed; for Photo
of total eclipse as viewed from W Turkey 12
min (real eclipse time) movie of total eclipse as viewed from W Turkey |
Notice: This
solar eclipse is one of two very important anchor points for the Olympic
calendar and its use in ancient times. The first one is the
July 29, 588 BCE annular solar eclipse. Origen (“ca 185 - ca 254 A.D.:”) "And
Phlegon also who compiled the Olympiads
writes about the same things in his 13th book in the following words: 'In the
fourth year of the 202nd Olympiad, an eclipse of the Sun took place
greater than any previously known, and night came on at the sixth
hour of the day, so that stars actually appeared in the sky; and a
great earthquake took place in Bithynia and overthrew the greater
part of Niceaea;" (“From: Phlegon, Olympiades, fragment 17. Quoted in Historical Eclipses and Earth's Rotation, by F Richard
Stephenson, Cambridge University Press, 1997, page 359.v;” Solar
Eclipse Newsletter, Vol. 8:11, Nov 2003. Cf. Google
Book Search and MrEclipse.com.) Notice and disclaimer re the below TLT translations re
Saul’s conversion experience as quoted from Acts: Although
I’ve tried my best to get appropriate help with the below translations re
Saul’s conversion experience, I have yet to find someone fluent in Greek, especially
ancient Greek, who is willing to confirm or agree with me that these
texts do indeed represent a solar eclipse. May I suggest that you, the
reader, make your own assessment based upon the best text material available
below and elsewhere? In
the mean time I very much do appreciate all the help I have been getting with
these translations! Please notice that all responsibility for any errors in
the TLT translations, not also inherent in the KJV translations, are on me
and on none other. Cf. Saul’s conversion experience: Acts 9:3 TLT And as he journeyed, he came near Act 9:3 KJV And
as he journeyed, he came near Act 9:3 GNT-TR+ εν1722 PREP δε1161 CONJ τω3588 T-DSM πορευεσθαι4198 V-PNN εγενετο1096 V-2ADI-3S αυτον846 P-ASM εγγιζειν1448 V-PAN τη3588 T-DSF δαμασκω1154 N-DSF και2532 CONJ εξαιφνης1810 ADV περιηστραψεν4015 V-AAI-3S αυτον846 P-ASM φως5457 N-NSN απο575 PREP του3588 T-GSM ουρανου3772 N-GSM Acts 22:6 TLT And it came to pass, that, as I made my
journey, and was come nigh unto Act 22:6 KJV And it came to pass, that, as
I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Act 22:6 GNT-TR+ εγενετο1096 V-2ADI-3S δε1161 CONJ μοι3427 P-1DS πορευομενω4198 V-PNP-DSM και2532 CONJ εγγιζοντι1448 V-PAP-DSM τη3588 T-DSF δαμασκω1154 N-DSF περι4012 PREP μεσημβριαν3314 N-ASF εξαιφνης1810 ADV εκ1537 PREP του3588 T-GSM ουρανου3772 N-GSM περιαστραψαι4015 V-AAN φως5457 N-NSN ικανον2425 A-NSN περι4012 PREP εμε1691 P-1AS Translating Acts 26:13, Paul’s own quoted words,
word for word from the Greek: Acts 26:13 TLT
ημέρας μέσης (At midday) κατά την
οδόν (while on route) είδον (I saw)
βασιλεύ (Your
Majesty)
ουρανόθεν (from heaven) υπέρ (covering) [or] (the
upper portion of)
την
λαμπρότητα
του ηλίου (the
solar disc)
περιλάμψαν με (investing-me-…) και
τους (and those) συν
εμοί πορευομένους
(journeying with me) (…with-a-glorious) φως (light.) Or… Acts 26:13 TLT
At midday while traveling I saw the moon covering the brilliancy of the sun light that was shining around me and those journeying with me. Or… Acts 26:13 TLT
At midday while traveling I saw, Your Majesty, from heaven the
upper sliver of the solar disc investing-me-… and those journeying with me with-a-glorious light. Or perhaps something like my
first impression of this passage: Acts 26:13 TLT At midday, while traveling, I beheld a sovereign
from the sky across the brilliancy of the sun being illuminated on its edges
by a halo and shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. Act 26:13 KJV At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from
heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about
me and them which journeyed with me. Act 26:13 GNT-TR+ ημερας2250 N-GSF μεσης3319 A-GSF κατα2596 PREP την3588 T-ASF οδον3598 N-ASF ειδον1492 V-2AAI-1S βασιλευ935 N-VSM ουρανοθεν3771 ADV υπερ5228 PREP την3588 T-ASF λαμπροτητα2987 N-ASF του3588 T-GSM ηλιου2246 N-GSM περιλαμψαν4034 V-AAP-ASN με3165 P-1AS φως5457 N-ASN και2532 CONJ τους3588 T-APM συν4862 PREP εμοι1698 P-1DS πορευομενους4198 V-PNP-APM |
|
10 |
A proclamation by Caesar
Claudius: - Re a potentially visible total
solar eclipse on his birthday. |
Proclamation: Issued some time between 29‑38 CE. Solar eclipse: August 1, 45 CE; greatest eclipse at 09:18 UT
(10:06 AM |
A Solar Eclipse
was Predicted on Caesar Claudius’ Birthday Quoting Dio: “Since there was to be an eclipse of the sun on his birthday, he feared that there might be
some disturbance in consequence, inasmuch as some other portents had already occurred; he therefore issued a
proclamation in which he stated not only the fact that there was to be an eclipse, and when, and for how long, but
also the reasons for which this was bound to happen… This, then, is what
happens to the sun, and it was made public by Claudius at that time.” (Dio, Roman History,
Volume VII, Loeb Classical Library, 60.26.1.) -
Dio’s statement re Claudius’ proclamation re a future solar eclipse
on his birthday is found in a context that makes it apparent that the
proclamation was made no earlier than in Claudius’ 3rd year of
reign (29 CE) and no later than two years prior to his being poisoned and
killed (38 CE; cf. footnote 1.) -
Notice that there is nothing in Dio’s statement implying that said
solar eclipse was expected to occur in the year of Claudius’ proclamation
about it! It was a (potentially visible) future event several years yet in
the future:” -
The only
years in the entire first century CE when an August 1 solar eclipse
occurred, were 7,
26,
45,
and 64
CE. There are no August
1 astronomical new moons (and thus no potential August 1 solar eclipses) between
the 26 CE and 45 CE total solar eclipses! (The only July 31 solar eclipse
during the 1st century occurred in 18
CE.) -
Dio’s statement, “some other portents had already
occurred,” could refer to just about
anything. Based upon the within chronology the following are potentially
visible solar eclipses and lunar eclipses that occurred during those years of
Claudius’ reign (29-38 CE:) ·
Cf. footnote 2! ·
In 36 CE
there were two total lunar eclipses in one calendar year, both visible from Footnote: Cf. the following sequence of words from Cassius Dio, Roman History, Book LX: “He was in his
fiftieth year…,” “The next year…,” “The next year…,” “there was to be an
eclipse of the sun on his birthday…,” “at the close of that year…,” and
Book LXI: “In the
following year, which was the eight hundredth year of Rome…,” and “during the
night the poison took effect and he passed away…” Footnote 2: Cf. the
following solar eclipses, each of which occurred during Rome daylight
hours, and which may accordingly have been a cause for concern if known of by
Claudius in advance: 1) Nov 24, 29 CE (total;) 2) Apr 28, 32 CE (partial;) 3) Sept 23, 32
CE (partial;) 4) Mar 19, 33 CE (total;) 5) Sept
12, 33 CE (annular; cf. August
1, 2008!) 6) Sept 1, 34 CE (annular;) 7) Aug 10, 36 CE (partial;) 8) Dec 25, 37 CE
(annular;) and 9) Jun 21, 38 CE (hybrid.) |
|
11 |
39 CE, March 13 to April 30 |
Gary W. Kronk: “The Hou Han shu (445) is the oldest source
describing this "broom star". The object appeared in the Mao [the
Pleiades] on 39 March 13. The date and location indicate it was in the
evening sky, implying a UT of March 13.5. The object is described as
exhibiting "rays
measuring 30°." The text adds, "It moved slightly toward the
northwest and entered Ying–Shih [α and
β Pegasi]. It then trespassed against Li–Kung [η, λ,
μ, ο, τ, and υ Pegasi]." The comet was last detected
after it had reached Tung–Pi [α
Andromedae and γ Pegasi] on April 30. The date and location indicate
it was in the morning sky, implying a UT of April 29.8. It "went out of
sight after an appearance of 49 days." “Full moon: March 28, April 27 “Sources: Hou Han shu (445), pp. 148–9; A. G. Pingré (1783), pp. 284, 581–2; J. Williams (1871), p. 11; Ho Peng Yoke (1962), pp. 148–9; I. Hasegawa (1980), p. 66.” Kronk, Cometography, Vol 1. Conte quoting Gary W. Kronk: “A comet sighting was recorded by the ancient Chinese astronomers in A.D. 39, from March 13 to April 30. This comet had a conspicuous tail, with rays as long as 30 degrees. [Kronk, Cometography, p. 27. ]” (Conte Jr., Ronald L., Important Dates in the Lives of Jesus and Mary.) Suetonius: “main omens of Claudius’ death included the
rise of a long-haired star, known as a comet….” Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars, Penguin
Books, 5.46. “a
long-haired star, known as a comet.” Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars, Penguin Books, 5.46. “exortus[1] crinitae[2] stellae[3], quam[4] cometen[5] uocant[6]” (C. Suetonius Tranquillus, De Vita
Caesarum (ed. Maximilian Ihm) life cl., chapter 46, section 1) Pliny the Elder: “Pliny the Elder lists four comets which were seen (during the
reigns of various emperors) “in the western sky,”
including the comet seen “about the time of the poisoning” of Claudius
Caesar. [Pliny, Natural History, 2.23.]” (Conte Jr., Ronald
L., Important Dates in the Lives of Jesus and Mary.) Dio: “seen for a
very long time….” (Dio, Roman
History, Volume VIII, Loeb Classical Library.) Seneca (the original Latin; cf. translation below!:)
“[28,3] Fecit
hic cometes, qui Paterculo et Vopisco consulibus apparuit, quae ab Aristotele
Theophrastoque sunt praedicta; fuerunt enim maximae et continuae tempestates
ubique, at in Achaia Macedoniaque urbes terrarum motibus prorutae sunt.” (Quaestiones
Naturales, Liber
VII DE COMETIS:[28,3]) Gary W. Kronk quoting a translation of Seneca’s
Latin text above: (Cf
Macedonian earthquake; next item below!) “Seneca said, "The comet which appeared in the
consulship of Paterculus and Vopiscus did what was predicted by Aristotle and Theophrastus: for there were very
violent and continuous storms everywhere, and in Achaia and Notice: If indeed Seneca’s
earthquake in I find no relevant
reference, in Finegan’s or any other published lists of Roman consuls, to
“Paterculus and Vopiscus.” One “Vopisco” is found however at “AUC 867 AD 114,” but that is much too late.
Neither do I find them in Tacitus’ Annales or in other readily available lists of Roman consuls. Consequently, I’ll venture
to place “the
consulship of Paterculus and Vopiscus” where it seems it
should fit the best: At this time in my study this will be after the
consulship of D. Iunius Silanus Torquatus and Q. Haterius Antoninus and
before the consulship of M. Asinius Marcellus and M. Acilius Aviola. (In
doing this it appears as though one problem I see in the Roman consulship is
resolved, i.e. having anchor points in 27 CE and 46 CE there seemed to be one
consulship missing for the number of years available.) Conte quoting Kronk
quoting Seneca: “Seneca gives a different description of this comet: “The Claudius comet rose from the north
into the zenith and moved east, always growing dimmer.” [Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Natural Questions II,
ed. E. H. Warmington, trans. Thomas H. Corcoran, Loeb Classical Library,
(Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1972), “Comets,”
7.21.3.] Later, he reiterates that the
comet was seen in the north, then rose straight up until it disappeared.
[Kronk, Cometography, p. 28.]“ (Conte Jr., Ronald L., Important Dates
in the Lives of Jesus and Mary.) |
|
|
12 |
An
earthquake in |
In the fall of
40 CE |
“12 Macedonia… 14 And
a certain woman named Lydia, a
seller of purple, of the city of
Thyatira … 23 prison… 25 at midnight… 26 And
suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken:
and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were
loosed. 27 And the keeper of the
prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew
out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners
had been fled. 28 But Paul cried
with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and
sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out… 40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Seneca
(the original Latin text:) “[28,3]
Fecit hic cometes, qui Paterculo et Vopisco consulibus apparuit, quae ab Aristotele
Theophrastoque sunt praedicta; fuerunt enim maximae et continuae tempestates
ubique, at in Achaia Macedoniaque urbes terrarum motibus prorutae sunt.” (Quaestiones
Naturales, Liber
VII DE COMETIS:[28,3]) Gary W.
Kronk quoting a translation of Seneca’s Latin text above: “Seneca said, "The comet which appeared in the consulship of Paterculus and Vopiscus
did what was predicted by Aristotle and Theophrastus: for there were very
violent and continuous storms everywhere, and in Achaia and |
|
13 |
Beginning in the lunar
month between December 17, 46 CE and January 15, 47 CE (as thus far understood)
and “visible for 20 days” or else for “six months.” |
Gary W. Kronk: “46 - The Chronicle of Koguryo
contained in the Korean text Samguk Sagi (1145) is the only source of
information on this object. It says a "sparkling star"
appeared sometime during the month of 46 December 17 and 47 January 15. The
object was in the south and remained visible for 20 days. Ho Peng Yoke (1962)
noted that ancient Korean records were frequently inaccurate. “Full moon: December 31 “Sources: Samguk Sagi
(1145), p. 149; Ho Peng Yoke (1962), p. 149; Seneca: “OCT. Let the stormy seas seek cordial
companionship with the stars and let fire mingle with water, let the very
heavens descend and take the place of grim Tartarus, let balmy light amicably
join hands with hideous darkness, and bright clear day ally itself with the
dewy night, before my mental tenderness could harmonize with the impious
disposition of that wicked husband of mine. I am ever mindful of my murdered
brother, I wish that the ruler of the heavenly gods would make ready to cut
short with his lightnings, the terrible life of that cruel emperor—that
deity, who so often shakes the earth with his frightful thunderbolts and
terrifies our very souls with his awful igneous displays and novel wonders
(fresh prodigies). But I have witnessed of late a blazing
phenomenal splendor in the heavens,6 a comet that has exposed to my view its
ominous fiery torch, (tail) just where slow-moving Boötes, stiff as it were
with the Arctic cold, drives his wagon at each turn of the night continually; behold, the very atmosphere seems polluted with the
horrible breath of that cruel ruler. The angry stars actually seem to be
threatening the people with some fresh disasters, whom that impious potentate
holds in domination.” (Lucius
Annaeus Seneca, Octavia,
translated, with notes, by Watson Bradshaw. “...uidimus caelo iubar (L.
ANNAEI SENECAE OCTAVIA: lines 231-4) Kronk quoting Seneca: "This last comet ran
across half the sky in only six months." Seneca added, "this recent
comet started its motion in the north and passing through the west it arrived
in the southern region and its orbit passed out of sight as it was
rising." (Seneca, Lucius Annaeus, Quaestiones Naturales, (63),
book 7, pp. 262–3, 270–1, 286–9 [Quote out of private email from Gary W.
Kronk.])
"We have seen a comet, a
blazing radiance in the sky, spread out its hostile torch where slow Boötes
guides his wagon in the endless turning of the night." (Seneca,
Lucius Annaeus, Octa Conte quoting Seneca: “The
poet Seneca describes a comet
during the reign of Nero, when Paterculus and Vopiscus were consuls, … This comet began in the north, passed through
the west, and ended in the southern sky. [Kronk, Cometography, p. 31.]”
Conte Jr., Ronald L., Important Dates in the Lives of Jesus and Mary. Tacitus: “XIV:22. A comet meantime blazed in the sky, which in popular opinion always portends
revolution to kingdoms. So people began to ask, as if Nero was already
dethroned, who was to be elected. In every one's mouth was the name of
Rubellius Blandus, who inherited through his mother the high nobility of the
Julian family... ” (Tacitus, The
Annals, Book XIV:22) Suetonius: (Re
“a blazing star” and the subsequent conspiracies of Piso [in which Seneca was
also implemented and then killed] and of Vinicius:) “XXXVI. Nor did he proceed with less cruelty against those who were not
of his family. A blazing star, which is vulgarly
supposed to portend destruction to kings and princes, appeared above the horizon
several nights successively 610. He felt great anxiety on account of this
phenomenon, and being informed by one Babilus, an
astrologer, that princes were used to expiate such omens by the sacrifice of
illustrious persons, and so avert the danger foreboded to their own persons,
by bringing it on the heads of their chief men, he resolved on the
destruction of the principal nobility in Rome. He was the more
encouraged to this, because he had some plausible pretence for carrying it
into execution, from the discovery of two conspiracies against
him; the former and more dangerous of which was that formed
by Piso
611, and discovered at Rome; the other was that
of Vinicius 612, at Beneventum.” “610 (return) This
comet, as well as one which appeared the year in which Claudius died, is
described by Seneca, Natural. Quaest. VII. c. xvii. and xix. and by Pliny,
II. c. xxv.” “611 (return) See Tacitus, Annal.
xv. 49-55. “612 (return) The sixteenth book of
Tacitus, which would probably have given an account of the Vinician
conspiracy, is lost. It is shortly noticed by Plutarch.” (The Lives of the Twelve Caesars by C. Suetonius
Tranquillus; NERO
CLAUDIUS CAESAR:XXXVI, The Translation of Alexander Thomson, M.D.)
Conte quoting
Suetonius: “Suetonius
mentions a comet observation before he describes the burning of Pliny the Elder: “[Comet] during Nero’s principate shining
almost continuously and with a terrible glare.” (Pliny, Natural History, 2.23.) Another translation provides: “And in our own age, about the time when Claudius Cæsar was poisoned and
left the Empire to Domitius
Nero, and afterwards, while the latter was Emperor7 , there was one [comet] which was almost constantly seen and was
very frightful. It is thought
important to notice towards what part it darts its beams, or from what star
it receives its influence, what it resembles, and in what places it shines.
If it resembles a flute, it portends something unfavourable respecting music;
if it appears in the parts of the signs referred to the secret members,
something respecting lewdness of manners; something respecting wit and
learning, if they form a triangular or quadrangular figure with the position
of some of the fixed stars; and that some one will be poisoned, if they
appear in the head of either the northern or the southern serpent.” ”7 Seneca refers to the four comets that were
seen, [1] after the death of Cæsar, [2] in the time of Augustus, [3] of
Claudius, and [4] of Nero; Quæst. Nat. i. 7. Suetonius mentions the comet which
appeared previous to the death of Claudius, cap. 46, and Tacitus that before
the death of Nero, Ann. xiv. 22.” (Pliny the Elder, Natural
History, Book
II:23) Additional spin-off
discoveries… |
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14 |
Volcanic eruption &
earthquake |
Vesuvius’
1st eruption &
earthquake destroying February 5, 48 CE |
Tacitus: "48.
In the consulship of Publius Marius and Lucius Asinius..." (Tacitus, The
Annals, Book XIV:48. Cf. Book XIV:17.) "22...
During the same consulship a gymnasium was wholly consumed by a stroke of
lightning, and a statue of Nero within it was melted down to a shapeless mass
of bronze. An earthquake too demolished a large part of "23.
During the consulship of Memmius Regulus and Verginius Rufus, Nero welcomed
with something more than mortal joy the birth of a daughter by Poppaea, whom
he called Seneca: “This earthquake took place upon the Nones of
February, in the consulate of Regulus and Virginius, and brought great
slaughter and desolation upon Other
references: “Seneca reports that an
earthquake occurred on 5 February “ “VESUVIUS… The first recorded [But cf. the entry re |
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15 & 16 |
Two comets |
Conte quoting Kronk: “These comets were seen
sometime between February 27and March 27, and sometime between June 9 and July
9, 54 CE, respectively. The dates ranges provided are from new moon to new
moon [probably astronomical vs. - Correction:
Actually the June 9 to July 9, 54 CE dates represent full moon to full moon. Josephus: “Thus there
was a star resembling a sword, which
stood over the city, and a comet, that continued for a whole year.” Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, VI:5:3.
[Re the phrase
“continued for a whole year” cf. my considerations re a revised meaning
for the Greek word “διετία,” which Greek word may or may not lay at the basis
for this phrase and which to the best of my understanding means “through the
remainder of the civil biblical year,” i.e. until Tishri 22 (or sometimes
referencing the entire 7th month, ie. from Tishri 1 through Tishri
22.) Accordingly, it appears as though this last comet was visible through
Tishri 22, 54 CE [sunset
November 11, 54 CE (sic; cf. Adar III,
54 CE and end of Elul,
54 CE! Cf. also the double eclipse item below!)]] “the signs
that were so evident and did so plainly foretell their future desolation.” Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, VI:5:3. “…the Conflagration
of the Holy House….the Signs that Preceded this Destruction.” Josephus, The Wars of the Jews,
VI:5:heading. -
The main
temple building was set on fire on the Seventh
Day of the week Av 12, 55 CE [Saturday July 26, 55 CE.] -
“AND thus was Jerusalem
taken, in
the second year of the reign of Vespasian, on the eighth day of the month
Gorpeius [Elul,]”which day was the Fifth Day of the week, Elul 8, 55
CE [Thursday August 21, 55 CE.] |
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17 |
Double eclipse: 1. Lunar
eclipse, and 2. the moon eclipsing the comet (cf. the above item!) |
54 CE, August 7, pre-dawn
on Wednesday as seen from the |
There was a total
lunar eclipse lasting 1 hour 46 minutes on Wednesday August 7, 54 CE at 04:36
UT, the first visible part of the eclipse beginning at 02:38 UT (i.e.
beginning at 04:59 From the language of Dio’s record,
which could represent an exact quote from a first hand observer, it appears
as though the above referenced comet was in fact (?) eclipsed by the moon on
the very same day as the lunar eclipse, possibly (?) even concurrent with the
lunar eclipse. Quoting Dio quoting an unknown
source: “Οτι
ο Ούίτελλιος…
Πράττοντι δ'
αυτω ταύτα
σημεία πονηρα
εγενετο. και γαρ
κομήτης αστήρ
εφαντάσθη και
ή σελήνη παρά
το καθεστηκος
δίς εκλελοιπεναι
έδοξε' και γαρ
τεταρταία και
εβδομαία εσκιάσθη.
και ηλίους δύο
άμα, εκ τε των
ανατολών και εκ
των δυσμών,
τούτον μεν
ασθενή και
ωχρον εκείνον δε
λαμπρον και
ισχυρόν, εϊδον.” (Dio, Roman History, Volume
VIII:64:8:1.) Perhaps the following translation [and interpretation] of mine
(albeit with MUCH credit to WordReference
forum helpers) would be true to the facts and to the intent of the
original Greek text?: “Vitellius…
While he was
behaving in this way, evil omens occurred. For both (και
γαρ) a
comet star (κομητης
αστηρ) visible (εφαντασθη)
[at that time] and (και) the moon (η σεληνη,) in an uncommon and impressive
display (παρα
το καθεστηκον)
[with the moon resting initially just beneath the comet] were observed to be involved in (εδοξε) a two-fold (δις) eclipse (εκλελοιπεναι.) For both (και γαρ) were obscured on [the fourth watch of] the Fourth Day [of the week]
(τεταρταια) and (και) the Seventh day [of the month
(εβδομαια) while the moon was
obscured from below] by
a shadow laid upon it (εσκιασθη)
[by the eclipsing earth hiding the moon while the moon was at the same time
eclipsing the comet from underneath.] And (και)
[this happened] while (αμα) they saw (ειδον) simultaneously (αμα) two (δυο) great luminaries (ηλιους,) one in the east (εκ τε των
ανατολων) and one in the west (και εκ των
δυσμων,) the latter (τουτον
μεν) weak
and pale (ασθενη
και ωχρον) [the moon setting over the
western horizon,] the
former (εκεινον
δε)
brilliant and powerful (λαμπρον
και ισχυρον) [the sun
rising in the east.]” A classical translation which may be a little misleading: “Vitellius… While he was
behaving in this way, evil omens occurred. A comet was seen, and the moon,
contrary to precedent, appeared to suffer two eclipses, being obscured on the
fourth and on the seventh day. Also people saw two suns at once, one in the
west weak and pale, and one in the east brilliant and powerful.” (Dio,
Roman History, Volume VIII:64:8:1.) |
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A comet - The length of the
observation was fairly long, 113 days. |
55/56 CE, Dec. of A.D. 55
to March of A.D. 56. |
|
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18 & 19 |
A pairing of a solar and a
lunar eclipse within 15 days |
Lunar eclipse on May 26, 58
CE. Solar eclipse on May 11, 58
CE: Total solar eclipse visible
from -
the
penumbra covered eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea in the |
Pliny: “For the eclipse of both sun and moon
within 15 days of each other has occurred even in our time, in the year of the third consulship of the elder Emperor
Vespasian and the second consulship of the younger.” Pliny, Natural History, 2.10. Photo
- View from the moon, Close up photo from the
moon, Photo
- View from Jerusalem, Photo -
Close up view from Jerusalem, Photo - Close up
view from Jerusalem less daylight, Movie - View from the moon,
and Close up movie from the moon
|
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20 |
A solar eclipse |
|
Pliny the Elder: "The
eclipse of the sun which occurred the day before the calends of May, in the
consulship of Vipstanus and Fonteius3, not
many years ago, was seen in Campania between the seventh and eighth hour of the day;
the general Corbulo informs us, that it was seen in Armenia, between the tenth and eleventh hour;" Translator’s footnote #3: "It took place on the 30th of April, in the
year of the City 811, A.D. 59;" (Pliny
the Elder, The Natural History (As modified [cf. below] from the original translation by: eds. John Bostock, M.D., F.R.S., H.T. Riley, Esq.,
B.A.,) CHAP.
72. [Latin
version 2.75] --IN WHAT PLACES ECLIPSES ARE INVISIBLE, AND WHY THIS IS
THE CASE.) The original [mis-]translation reads: "…seen
in An analysis and careful consideration of this
record of Pliny the Elder indicates that the commonly available lists of
Roman consulships are in need of considerable revision, at the very minimum re
the relative placement of “the
consulship of Vipstanus and Fonteius” vs. the concurrent Roman Emperors!
As best I can tell, Pliny the Elder is giving reference to an eclipse, then
recent, occurring when Vespasian was the Emperor of Rome. Notice, in the quote
above, Pliny the Elder’s own words, “not many years ago!” Pliny’s book is dedicated
to Emperor Titus Vespasian, the son and successor of Emperor Vespasian!
The point Pliny is attempting to emphasize to the reader is that the earth is
a globe. That being the case, why should he give reference to a solar eclipse
that occurred during the reign of Caesar Nero, who died a minimum of 14 years
before the dedication of Pliny the Elder’s book The Natural History? |
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21 |
A comet |
60 CE, in August |
Pliny mentions a
comet associated with Titus, but seen before he became emperor. “ ‘Javelin-stars’ quiver like a dart; these
are a very terrible portent. To this class belongs the comet about which
Titus Imperator Caesar in his 5th consulship wrote an account in his famous
poem, that being its latest appearance down to the present day.” Pliny, Natural History, 2.22. |
|
22 |
A comet |
65/66 CE - Jan.-April of
A.D. 66 & July-Sept. A.D. 65 |
Dio tells us about Vespasian: “To those who said anything to him about
the comet he said: ‘This is an omen, not for me, but for the Parthian king; for
he has long hair, whereas I am bald.’ ” Dio, Roman History, Volume VIII, Loeb Classical Library,
66.17.3. Dio adds that the comet “was visible for a long time.” Dio, Roman History, Volume VIII, Loeb
Classical Library, 66.17.2. |
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23 |
Volcanic eruption |
Vesuvius’
2nd eruption: August 24,
66 CE |
“On the 24th of August, about one in the afternoon, my mother desired him [Pliny the Elder]
to observe a cloud which appeared of a very unusual size and shape. He had
just taken a turn in the sun and, after bathing himself in cold water, and
making a light luncheon, gone back to his books: he immediately arose and
went out upon a rising ground from whence he might get a better sight of this
very uncommon appearance. A cloud, from which mountain was uncertain, at this
distance (but it was found afterwards to come from Mount Vesuvius), was
ascending, the appearance of which I cannot give you a more exact description
of than by likening it to that of a pine tree, for it shot up to a great
height in the form of a very tall trunk, which spread itself out at the top
into a sort of branches; occasioned, I imagine, either by a sudden gust of
air that impelled it, the force of which decreased as it advanced upwards, or
the cloud itself being pressed back again by its own weight, expanded in the
manner I have mentioned; it appeared sometimes bright and sometimes dark and
spotted, according as it was either more or less impregnated with earth and
cinders.” (The first letter
(6:16:26) re Mt Vesuvius’ eruption written by Pliny
the Younger to Cornelius Tacitus, the historian.) “THE
LETTER which, in compliance with your request, I wrote to you concerning the
death of my uncle [Pliny the Elder] has raised, it seems, your
curiosity to know what terrors and dangers attended me while I continued at
Misenum; for there, I think, my account broke off:
“Though my shock’d soul recoils, my tongue shall tell.” My uncle having left us, I spent such time as was
left on my studies (it was on their account indeed that I had stopped behind
[Pliny the Younger “stopped behind” when his uncle, Pliny the Elder, sailed
towards the erupting mountain/ed. comment]), till it was time for my bath.
After which I went to supper, and then fell into a short and uneasy sleep.
There had been noticed for many
days before a trembling of the earth, which did not alarm us much, as this is
quite an ordinary occurrence in Campania; but it was so particularly violent
that night that it not only shook but actually overturned, as it would seem,
everything about us. My mother rushed into my chamber, where she
found me rising, in order to awaken her. We sat down in the open court of the
house, which occupied a small space between the buildings and the sea. I was at that time but eighteen years
of age…” (The second letter
re Mt Vesuvius’ eruption written by Pliny the Younger to
Cornelius Tacitus, the historian) Suetonius: “There happened in his
[Titus’] reign some dreadful accidents; an eruption of Mount Vesuvius, in Campania, and a
fire in Rome, which continued during three days and three nights; besides a
plague, such as was scarcely ever known before.” (Suetonius, The Lives of the Twelve
Caesars, TITUS:VIII) Josephus: “2. But for the marriage of
Drusilla with Azizus, it was in no long time afterward dissolved upon the
following occasion: While Felix was procurator of Judea, he saw this Drusilla, and fell in love with her;
for she did indeed exceed all other women in beauty; and he sent to her a
person whose name was Simon one of his
friends; a Jew he was, and by birth a Cypriot, and one who pretended to be a
magician, and endeavored to persuade her to forsake her present husband, and
marry him; and promised, that if she would not refuse him, he would make her
a happy woman. Accordingly she acted ill, and because she was desirous to
avoid her sister Bernice's envy, for she was very ill treated by her on
account of her beauty, was prevailed upon to transgress the laws of her
forefathers, and to marry Felix;
and when he had had a son by her,
he named him Agrippa. But after
what manner that young man, with his wife, perished at the
conflagration of the mountain Vesuvius, in the
days of Titus Caesar…”
Josephus, Antiquities, XX:7:2 Other
references: Titus’ reign: June 23, 66 CE -
September 13, 68 CE. (Per the within
Tree of Life Chronology©
discoveries.) “…just two months after Titus took over from his
father, the eruptions of Vesuvius began…” (unrv.com) “The
eruption of “[Pliny
the Elder] perished, in the fifty-sixth year of his age.” ("THE
ELDER PLINY." LoveToKnow 1911 Online Encyclopedia. © 2003,
2004 LoveToKnow.) “ “VESUVIUS… The first recorded [But cf. the entry re |
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24 |
Constellation between the moon, Aquarius, and a
given date in the Julian calendar:
“The 5th hour” of “the fourteenth day before the Kalends of
October.” |
Between 10:00-12:00 o’clock
on September 18, 77 CE. |
Suetonius re Caesar Domitian: “16. .. Then he asked the time,
and by pre-arrangement the sixth hour was announced to him, instead
of the fifth, which he feared. Filled with joy at this, and
believing all danger now past, he was hastening to the bath, when his
chamberlain Parthenius changed his purpose by announcing that someone had
called about a matter of great moment and would not be put
off. Then he dismissed all his attendants and went to his bedroom,
where he was slain.” “17:3 He was slain on the
fourteenth day before the Kalends of October in the forty-fifth year
of his age and the fifteenth of his reign…” (C. Suetonius
Tranquillus, The
Lives of the Twelve Caesars, The Life of Domitian. Cf. also the original Latin
text.) Reviewing the Swiss ephemeris charts from 60 CE through 96 CE I find only four years in
which the moon was in Aquarius on September 18 of the Julian calendar. Those
years are 66 CE, 77 CE, 85 CE, and 96 CE. Thursday September 18, 77 CE finds
the moon in Aquarius the full 24 hours. (96 CE is the conventional history
placement of this same event.) Naturally,
using astronomy software such as the Starry Night Backyard software
easily confirms the very same constellations. |
![the Pleiades] on 39 March 13](39CEComet/0390313PleiadesWith30degreesDirectedAwayFromSun.JPG){kind=link}
![[α Andromedae and γ Pegasi]](39CEComet/0390430-AlpheratzAlphaAndromeda-AlgenibGammaPegasi.JPG){kind=link}
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