"Mucianus" as Template for "Paul"

Discussion about the New Testament, apocrypha, gnostics, church fathers, Christian origins, historical Jesus or otherwise, etc.
Charles Wilson
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Re: "Mucianus" as Template for "Paul"

Post by Charles Wilson »

CONTINUING, or, "Thanx for your heartfelt concern, me lit-uhl Droogies..."
I'll prolly write in a more compressed manner now.

[15] In those days Peter stood up among the brethren (the company of persons was in all about a hundred and twenty), and said,
[16] "Brethren, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas who was guide to those who arrested Jesus.
[17] For he was numbered among us, and was allotted his share in this ministry.
[18] (Now this man bought a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.
[19] And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Akel'dama, that is, Field of Blood.)
[20] For it is written in the book of Psalms, `Let his habitation become desolate,
and let there be no one to live in it';
and `His office let another take.'

"in those days..." is a small Telltale. This is looking back, seen by an author. The Character "Peter" is a Fiction here. Peter is a child in the Original, which took place at the 4 BCE Temple Massacre. At the Fall of Jerusalem, he would realistically be in his 80s. "120 persons" should be unpacked but not today. Of course, "Holy spirit" => "Domitian". Verses 15 - 16 => Pure Later Addition.

[18] (Now this man bought a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out

Here is where we begin looking at the Historical Record in earnest. There is supposedly a contradiction between Acts and Matthew:

Matthew 27:3 - 5 (RSV):

[3] When Judas, his betrayer, saw that he was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders,
[4] saying, "I have sinned in betraying innocent blood." They said, "What is that to us? See to it yourself."
[5] And throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself.

There is no Contradiction. This is "Historical Record" found in Josephus and Tacitus.
"Judas" => "Cestius", Commander of the 12th Legion.

If this is Historical, we can play One-Thing-leads-to-Another and derive Useful Results. If the History is Roman History at the Interregnum of the End of the Julio-Claudians through the ascension of the Flavians, we should find much in Tacitus and Josephus. We do.

There is no Contradiction between Acts and Matthew. Judas did hang himself and have his guts spill out.

[17] For he was numbered among us, and was allotted his share in this ministry.

Ministry?

Acts 6: 1 - 4 (RSV):

[1] Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
[2] And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
[3] Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty.
[4] But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

What is really happening here is that "The Jews" are killing Greeks, probably in The Decapolis and the widows are going hungry.
Very Curious: The Twelve, who should be thankful for ANY Job in the New Order, do not want to serve tables. Food Service is Not Their Style! They want to MINISTER the Word. (Woe unto you if the Roman Military wants to "Minister" to you!) Let Food Service fall to the 7 who are picked from the Brethren.

This is one of the most Important Sections in Acts. Who could these 7 persons be? We will find out soon.

If this is Military History then "Judas" might be an important Commander. Did any Military Commander have his guts spill out?

Josephus, War, 2, 18, 9:

"And this was the miserable calamity which at this time befell the Jews at Alexandria. Hereupon Cestius thought fit no longer to lie still, while the Jews were everywhere up in arms; so he took out of Antioch the twelfth legion entire, and out of each of the rest he selected two thousand, with six cohorts of footmen, and four troops of horsemen, besides those auxiliaries which were sent by the kings; of which Antiochus sent two thousand horsemen, and three thousand footmen, with as many archers; and Agrippa sent the same number of footmen, and one thousand horsemen..."

Cestius means BUSINESS. Oh...And about that 12th Legion?

Acts 9: 32 - 33 (RSV):

[32] Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda.
[33] There he found a man named Aene'as, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed.

Kwik Maff: What happened 8 years prior to the Fall of Jerusalem and the Destruction of the Temple?

Tacitus, Annals, Book 14:

"All the more vigorously did Vologeses press the besieged, now attacking the legions' entrenchments, and now again the fortress, which guarded those whose years unfitted them for war. He advanced closer than is the Parthian practice, seeking to lure the enemy to an engagement by such rashness. They, however, could hardly be dragged out of their tents, and would merely defend their lives, some held back by the general's order, others by their own cowardice; they seemed to be awaiting Corbulo, and should they be overpowered by force, they had before them the examples of Candium and Numantia
***
"Meanwhile Paetus threw a bridge over the river Arsanias, which flowed by the camp, apparently with the view of facilitating his march. It was the Parthians, however, who had required this, as an evidence of their victory; for the bridge was of use to them, while our men went a different way. Rumour added that the legions had been passed under the yoke, with other miserable disgraces, of which the Armenians had borrowed imitations. For they not only entered our lines before the Roman army began to retire, but also stood about the camp streets, recognizing and dragging off slaves or beasts of burden which we had previously captured. They even seized clothes and detained weapons, for the soldiers were utterly cowed and gave up everything, so that no cause for fighting might arise. Vologeses having piled up the arms and bodies of the slain in order to attest our defeat, refrained from gazing on the fugitive legions..."

Paralyzed, indeed! The 12th Legion is central to understanding Acts. We can trace the 12th through Annals and Josephus and then find Mucianus. Mucianus will then be easily seen as Saul/Paul.

We now need to make Historical Discoveries of our own:

Josephus, War..., 2, 19, 1 - 7

"AND now Gallus, seeing nothing more that looked towards an innovation in Galilee, returned with his army to Cesarea: but Cestius removed with his whole army, and marched to Antipatris; and when he was informed that there was a great body of Jewish forces gotten together in a certain tower called Aphek, he sent a party before to fight them; but this party dispersed the Jews by affrighting them before it came to a battle: so they came, and finding their camp deserted, they burnt it, as well as the villages that lay about it. But when Cestius had marched from Antipatris to Lydda, he found the city empty of its men, for the whole multitude (28) were gone up to Jerusalem to the feast of tabernacles; yet did he destroy fifty of those that showed themselves, and burnt the city, and so marched forwards; and ascending by Betboron, he pitched his camp at a certain place called Gabao, fifty furlongs distant from Jerusalem.

"And now it was that a horrible fear seized upon the seditious, insomuch that many of them ran out of the city, as though it were to be taken immediately; but the people upon this took courage, and where the wicked part of the city gave ground, thither did they come, in order to set open the gates, and to admit Cestius (30) as their benefactor, who, had he but continued the siege a little longer, had certainly taken the city; but it was, I suppose, owing to the aversion God had already at the city and the sanctuary, that he was hindered from putting an end to the war that very day.

"It then happened that Cestius was not conscious either how the besieged despaired of success, nor how courageous the people were for him; and so he recalled his soldiers from the place, and by despairing of any expectation of taking it, without having received any disgrace, he retired from the city, without any reason in the world..."

The entire Section should be read to see what is being applied to Cestius and the 12th Legion in a Literary Manner. He takes Jerusalem and according to Josephus, might have put an end to any upcoming War in a single day!

"...he [Cestius] recalled his soldiers from the place, and by despairing of any expectation of taking it, without having received any disgrace, he retired from the city, without any reason in the world..."

"...without any reason in the world..."?!?? IS THIS TRUE?

Matthew 27:

[3] When Judas, his betrayer, saw that he was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders,
[4] saying, "I have sinned in betraying innocent blood." They said, "What is that to us? See to it yourself."
[5] And throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself.

We still have to examine how Cestius hanged himself and also spilled his guts out. Here, he might have a taken a Bribe from the High Priest to leave Jerusalem. It's no sure thing but it would certainly explain a lot in Josephus.

The 12th Legion is having more than just a Bad Day. Cestius goes to his Doom: "Let another his Office take..." No kidding.

Much more later.

CW
Last edited by Charles Wilson on Sat May 01, 2021 6:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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DCHindley
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Re: "Mucianus" as Template for "Paul"

Post by DCHindley »

Lane,

Yes, early Christians seem to have relied almost exclusively on the codex, but I had also heard that it really that much more expensive (due to the binding process).

At first, codices were mainly used for business accounting purposes, and only later were introduced into the hoidy toidy literary market (poetry, works of satire, basically "pocket editions") somewhere in the 2nd century, IIRC, as a novelty. In pagan literary circles, the codex did not catch on until the late 2nd or 3rd century.

Thus, early Christianity's familiarity with the codex came from the business side of Greco-Roman culture. Close to every single one of those type people were slaves of a wealthy Roman, or members of the merchant classes.

DCH
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Jax
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Re: "Mucianus" as Template for "Paul"

Post by Jax »

DCHindley wrote: Sat May 01, 2021 5:40 pm Lane,

Yes, early Christians seem to have relied almost exclusively on the codex, but I had also heard that it really that much more expensive (due to the binding process).

At first, codices were mainly used for business accounting purposes, and only later were introduced into the hoidy toidy literary market (poetry, works of satire, basically "pocket editions") somewhere in the 2nd century, IIRC, as a novelty. In pagan literary circles, the codex did not catch on until the late 2nd or 3rd century.

Thus, early Christianity's familiarity with the codex came from the business side of Greco-Roman culture. Close to every single one of those type people were slaves of a wealthy Roman, or members of the merchant classes.

DCH
Let's not overlook the utility of a codex in a military environment. Very handy for keeping track of things.
Charles Wilson
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Re: "Mucianus" as Template for "Paul"

Post by Charles Wilson »

Cestius Hangs Himself and his Guts Spill Out:

These Sections should be read in their entirety:

Josephus, War..., 2, 19, 6 - 9:

6. And now it was that a horrible fear seized upon the seditious, insomuch that many of them ran out of the city, as though it were to be taken immediately; but the people upon this took courage, and where the wicked part of the city gave ground, thither did they come, in order to set open the gates, and to admit Cestius as their benefactor, who, had he but continued the siege a little longer, had certainly taken the city; but it was, I suppose, owing to the aversion God had already at the city and the sanctuary, that he was hindered from putting an end to the war that very day.

7. It then happened that Cestius was not conscious either how the besieged despaired of success, nor how courageous the people were for him; and so he recalled his soldiers from the place, and by despairing of any expectation of taking it, without having received any disgrace, he retired from the city, without any reason in the world. But when the robbers perceived this unexpected retreat of his, they resumed their courage, and ran after the hinder parts of his army, and destroyed a considerable number of both their horsemen and footmen; and now Cestius lay all night at the camp which was at Scopus; and as he went off farther next day, he thereby invited the enemy to follow him, who still fell upon the hindmost, and destroyed them; they also fell upon the flank on each side of the army, and threw darts upon them obliquely, nor durst those that were hindmost turn back upon those who wounded them behind, as imagining that the multitude of those that pursued them was immense; nor did they venture to drive away those that pressed upon them on each side, because they were heavy with their arms, and were afraid of breaking their ranks to pieces, and because they saw the Jews were light, and ready for making incursions upon them. And this was the reason why the Romans suffered greatly, without being able to revenge themselves upon their enemies; so they were galled all the way, and their ranks were put into disorder, and those that were thus put out of their ranks were slain; among whom were Priscus, the commander of the sixth legion, and Longinus, the tribune, and Emilius Secundus, the commander of a troop of horsemen. So it was not without difficulty that they got to Gabao, their former camp, and that not without the loss of a great part of their baggage. There it was that Cestius staid two days, and was in great distress to know what he should do in these circumstances; but when on the third day he saw a still much greater number of enemies, and all the parts round about him full of Jews, he understood that his delay was to his own detriment, and that if he staid any longer there, he should have still more enemies upon him.

8. That therefore he might fly the faster, he gave orders to cast away what might hinder his army's march; so they killed the mules and other creatures, excepting those that carried their darts and machines, which they retained for their own use, and this principally because they were afraid lest the Jews should seize upon them. He then made his army march on as far as Bethoron. Now the Jews did not so much press upon them when they were in large open places; but when they were penned up in their descent through narrow passages, then did some of them get before, and hindered them from getting out of them; and others of them thrust the hinder-most down into the lower places; and the whole multitude extended themselves over against the neck of the passage, and covered the Roman army with their darts. In which circumstances, as the footmen knew not how to defend themselves, so the danger pressed the horsemen still more, for they were so pelted, that they could not march along the road in their ranks, and the ascents were so high, that the cavalry were not able to march against the enemy; the precipices also and valleys into which they frequently fell, and tumbled down, were such on each side of them, that there was neither place for their flight, nor any contrivance could be thought of for their defense; till the distress they were at last in was so great, that they betook themselves to lamentations, and to such mournful cries as men use in the utmost despair: the joyful acclamations of the Jews also, as they encouraged one another, echoed the sounds back again, these last composing a noise of those that at once rejoiced and were in a rage. Indeed, things were come to such a pass, that the Jews had almost taken Cestius's entire army prisoners, had not the night come on, when the Romans fled to Bethoron, and the Jews seized upon all the places round about them, and watched for their coming out [in the morning].

9. And then it was that Cestius, despairing of obtaining room for a public march, contrived how he might best run away; and when he had selected four hundred of the most courageous of his soldiers, he placed them at the strongest of their fortifications, and gave order, that when they went up to the morning guard, they should erect their ensigns, that the Jews might be made to believe that the entire army was there still, while he himself took the rest of his forces with him, and marched, without any noise, thirty furlongs. But when the Jews perceived, in the morning, that the camp was empty, they ran upon those four hundred who had deluded them, and immediately threw their darts at them, and slew them; and then pursued after Cestius. But he had already made use of a great part of the night in his flight, and still marched quicker when it was day; insomuch that the soldiers, through the astonishment and fear they were in, left behind them their engines for sieges, and for throwing of stones, and a great part of the instruments of war. So the Jews went on pursuing the Romans as far as Antipatris; after which, seeing they could not overtake them, they came back, and took the engines, and spoiled the dead bodies, and gathered the prey together which the Romans had left behind them, and came back running and singing to their metropolis; while they had themselves lost a few only, but had slain of the Romans five thousand and three hundred footmen, and three hundred and eighty horsemen. This defeat happened on the eighth day of the month Dius, [Marchesvan,] in the twelfth year of the reign of Nero..."

Cestius goes wrong in many places. There was an Ordered Way to assemble a Legion for marching. The "Baggage" was carried in the middle, surrounded by Ordered Groups to protect it. Cestius violates this Ordering. The "Jews" pick off the back part of the Legion and destroy this Baggage.

When passing through a Narrow Passage, the high elevations must be controlled by the Romans FIRST. Here, Cestius, escaping in a panic, gives up this control and pays the price: The Seditious rain down lethal darts on the 12th Legion and almost all is lost. Cestius schemes but barely makes it back to Beth Horon with his life. The 12th wasn't so lucky.

Thus, Cestius Hangs himself. He loses control, makes every possible mistake and loses his guts in the process. Thus, there is no Contradiction.

Next: "Who are the Seven who take care of the Food?"
(We're getting closer to Mucianus, I promise.)

CW
lsayre
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Re: "Mucianus" as Template for "Paul"

Post by lsayre »

Are we historically certain that Cestius died by hanging himself, or is that meant to be allegorical, just as for the losing/spilling of his guts?
Charles Wilson
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Re: "Mucianus" as Template for "Paul"

Post by Charles Wilson »

lsayre wrote: Sun May 02, 2021 5:23 amAre we historically certain that Cestius died by hanging himself, or is that meant to be allegorical, just as for the losing/spilling of his guts?
lsayre --

I would assume allegorical.

Matthew hides meaning. Witness Mark's "Are we to drown, for all you care?:

Matthew 8: 25 (RSV):

[25] And they went and woke him, saying, "Save, Lord; we are perishing."

Josephus is a Master at doing the same. The Greek General Demetrius Eucerus camps at "Shechem" before beating the piss out of Jannaeus.
"Oh, that's interesting...kinda'."
What's near "Shechem"? A Walmart? Winter Ski Resort?

Gerizim.

In Sequence, this is when the Abomination of Desolation occurs. All sorts of Greek references to the Book of Daniel, etc. Which is it? "...standing where HE ought not..." or "...standing where IT ought not...?

Mark 13: 14 (Moffatt):

But whenever you see the appalling Horror standing where he has no right to stand (let the reader note this) , then let those who are in Judaea fly to the hills.

I'm in trouble already, positing Symbolic Representations of Legions for persons in the various Texts so what do I know?
In this case, however, Matthew is telling us Truthfully but probably Allegorically. "Cestius did hang himself - In a manner of speaking - Symbolically - Know wha'um sayin'..."

CW
Last edited by Charles Wilson on Sun May 02, 2021 7:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Charles Wilson
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Re: "Mucianus" as Template for "Paul"

Post by Charles Wilson »

Lydda:

Left out of my Reconstruction of my erased Text from a coupla' days ago was the important Marker for Cestius and the 12th Legion at Lydda.

Acts 9: 32 - 35 (RSV):

[32] Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda.
[33] There he found a man named Aene'as, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed.
[34] And Peter said to him, "Aene'as, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose.
[35] And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

As stated often enough, "Peter" in verse 32 is a Fiction. If the name is referant, Peter was a child at the Temple Slaughter of 4 BCE. He was a Jewish Child who saves a Priest in the Death at the Temple. He Probably survived to see the Priest Crucified 12 years later though there is a small chance that Peter himself was the victim 12 years later. He would have been in his 80s at the Destruction of the Temple and he most probably would not have been Pro-Roman, having been the son of a Priest. He was allowed into the Chamber of the Flames and that was reserved for Priests and perhaps the King only.

Verses 33 - 34 are telling you a Symbolic Tale. I have identified this with the 12th Legion, which was Humiliated by the Parthians eight years prior (Tacitus, Annals). The Original looks back to the deification of Titus in the Roman Thesis, but has been Transvalued and Transvalued again. Domitian wishes to hold the pen last so "Jesus" became Objectified, telling the 12th Legion that it will be in Jerusalem to finish the Siege.

In SOOO many Passages, there is a Clue, an odd framing of Language, that lets you know that there is Indirection afoot. So it is here:

[35] And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Josephus, War..., 2, 19, 1:

But when Cestius had marched from Antipatris to Lydda, he found the city empty of its men, for the whole multitude were gone up to Jerusalem to the feast of tabernacles; yet did he destroy fifty of those that showed themselves, and burnt the city, and so marched forwards; and ascending by Betboron, he pitched his camp at a certain place called Gabao, fifty furlongs distant from Jerusalem.

This is where Cestius gets his ass kicked, losing most of the 12th Legion at Beth Horon:

Acts 1: 20 (RSV):

[20] For it is written in the book of Psalms, `Let his habitation become desolate,
and let there be no one to live in it';
and `His office let another take.'

Thus, after Marching through Lydda and finding it empty, he torches it. His habitation has become desolate and there is no one left to live in it.
After making every possible mistake in the "Marching Legions Handbook" he will be replaced.

With these Identities established, we March onward to "Mucianus", Template for "Saul/Paul"

CW
Charles Wilson
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Re: Who are the Whammyburger Seven?

Post by Charles Wilson »

Food Service is extremely important for the Symbolic Understanding of the Roman Thesis being presented.
We are almost to the appearance of Mucianus. We must be prepared to make an unusual assumption in Identities, one that some will not wish to make.

Acts 6: 1 - 6 (RSV):

[1] Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
[2] And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
[3] Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty.
[4] But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
[5] And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Proch'orus, and Nica'nor, and Ti'mon, and Par'menas, and Nicola'us, a proselyte of Antioch.
[6] These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them.

We have previously quoted some of this and this first verse is Indirection. What is being stated is that the "Hebrews" are killing Greeks and their widows are starving. "The Twelve" are not happy serving Burgers and Fries and they want to go out and...You know...Minister the Word. Perhaps they wish to have a Focus Group or something to convince those Hebrew Types to stop being so Pushy.

So the 12 will go out and Minister and these Seven will deal with the Food. "You guys might also wanna think about serving Breakfast after 11:30...Just sayin'..."

I keep tellin ya': When you see some interesting Language, you might want to start diggin'.

What's interesting here? How could we even START to identify the Seven Stalwarts. They could be any number of people from anywhere.

Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenus and...
Nicholaus, a proselyte of Antioch.

Here is our Clue: Who was Proselyte/Hero of Antioch?

That would be Octavian, dba "Augustus Caesar". This is an Inverted List of the first Caesars, leaving out Julius Caesar, who was "Dictator for Life".
There is a HUGE problem here, though not in the Identities of these Seven. "Who is this Seventh Caesar?"

That would the "Four Day Emperor" Frugi Piso.

The Legions "Minister the Word" while the Caesars take care of the Grain, as Vespasian will show.

F. Piso, BTW, is seen in the NT, identified in the story of "Salt Losing Its Flavor" Piso's wife takes his body to the Salt Road for burial there. It is plausible to see that there was a small Group who had hopes for more benevolent treatment from SOME Caesar, perhaps this one.

Acts 6: 8 - 15 (RSV, 15 separated from 8 - 14 for purpose):

[8] And Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
[9] Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyre'nians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cili'cia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen.
[10] But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.
[11] Then they secretly instigated men, who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."
[12] And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council,
[13] and set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law;
[14] for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us."
***
[15] And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

As we rush headlong into the vicious Chapter 7, we face a very interesting choice. As far as I know, this Piso did not have the face of an Angel.
There was a Player in this story, however, who did:

Tacitus, Histories, Book 4:

"The murder of Calpurnius Galerianus caused the utmost consternation. He was a son of Caius Piso, and had done nothing, but a noble name and his own youthful beauty made him the theme of common talk; and while the country was still unquiet and delighted in novel topics, there were persons who associated him with idle rumours of Imperial honours. By order of Mucianus he was surrounded with a guard of soldiers. Lest his execution in the capital should excite too much notice, they conducted him to the fortieth milestone from Rome on the Appian Road, and there put him to death by opening his veins..."

Here we meet Mucianus in Tacitus. He has taken Control in Rome and he is Clearing the Decks in anticipation of Vespasian.

Unfortunately, I have to stop for a bit, just as it gets interesting.
To Be finished Later...

CW
Last edited by Charles Wilson on Thu May 06, 2021 4:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Charles Wilson
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Re: "Mucianus" as Template for "Paul"

Post by Charles Wilson »

God is not thrilled with the Sitcheation:

Acts 7: 48 - 51, and more (RSV):

[48] Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with hands; as the prophet says,
[49] `Heaven is my throne,
and earth my footstool.
What house will you build for me, says the Lord,
or what is the place of my rest?
[50] Did not my hand make all these things?'
***
[51] "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.

"I understand that there are some rental units coming open in Rome..."
Note the appearance of "Holy Spirit" in this. This will become the Official Approved Version of things.

[52] Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered,
[53] you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it."

Monstrous Indirection, as if what is coming will Transfer Power to a benign, pleasant dictatorship, which will act only in the Best Interest of the Chosen People...Yeah, this makes sense...

****Here it is:****

[54] Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth against him.
[55] But he [Stephen], full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God;
[56] and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God."
[57] But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together upon him.
[58] Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
[59] And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
[60] And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

The identification of the Holy Spirit with Domitian is not Universally Accepted and for many, this scene plays out as a normal, everyday assassination. There do not appear to be any of the Clues that I ramble on and on about, to no avail. If much of this comes from Tacitus, it does not even Match-Up with the given Cause of Death:

Tacitus, Histories, Book 4:

"The murder of Calpurnius Galerianus caused the utmost consternation. He was a son of Caius Piso, and had done nothing, but a noble name and his own youthful beauty made him the theme of common talk; and while the country was still unquiet and delighted in novel topics, there were persons who associated him with idle rumours of Imperial honours. By order of Mucianus he was surrounded with a guard of soldiers. Lest his execution in the capital should excite too much notice, they conducted him to the fortieth milestone from Rome on the Appian Road, and there put him to death by opening his veins..."

A Deeper Analysis, however, may give reason to accept this Idea concerning Mucianus. We have what appears to be Frugi Piso at the end of an Inverted List of Caesars in Acts 6. F. Piso did not have the face of an angel, however. There was a Piso who did have the face of an Angel: Calpurnius Galerianus.

Ben Smith states that I am asserting a "Coded History", a charge of which I plead "Guilty". Here is a "Double Stretch". If the Scene starts with the Four Day Emperor Piso but ends with Calpurnius Galerianus, a Piso also, might this imply that the one Character in fact implies two people?

1 Corinthians 1: 14 - 16 (RSV):

[14] I am thankful that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Ga'ius;
[15] lest any one should say that you were baptized in my name.
[16] (I did baptize also the household of Steph'anas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else.)

I've referenced "Crispus" => "Priscus" and "Caius" => "Gaius" before and above, from Tacitus. Verse 15 must represent a small Epistemological Battle in the early Christian/Roman Movement. As a reference to Official Deity Policy, it might reference this "Saul/Paul" as "Not quite one of us".

"I did baptize also the household of Steph'anas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else"

I note in passing:

Suetonius, 12 Caesars, "Domitian":

Concerning the nature of the plot and the manner of his death, this is about all that became known. As the conspirators were deliberating when and how to attack him, whether at the bath or at dinner, Stephanus, Domitilla's​ steward, at the time under accusation for embezzlement, offered his aid and counsel..."

It is entirely consistent, then, that the Household of Stephanas was attacked at the Interregnum. The Julio-Claudians are driven out of office, Vespasian and the Flavians will ascend and "No Piso Family, thank you very much". Which is to say, the "Household of Stephanas" references the Piso Family.

And when he had said this, he fell asleep

With all of the above in play, this becomes our "Clue". It might strike you as ODD that they take Stephen outside the city and stone him. OH!...sorry, Jannes, I meant to throw that rock at Stephen here, OK? Didn't mean to bloody you up 'n stuff and nearly knock you out 'n all...."

Hold on for a second: Here's a question I always ask: "Do you fall asleep when you are stoned?" It's kinda' an old Hippie Joke but it's real enough. Again, for many who don't want to go down this Path, this phrase is just OK. "Falling asleep" is perfectly applicable here. It means, "He died", neither more nor less.

So, in the form of a question, "Which would you more likely apply "Falling Asleep" to: "Being stoned" or "Having your veins opened"? It makes more sense to say, "Having you veins opened", I contend. Thus, with the single change from Roman Sensibilities to Jewish Sensibilities, the stories diverge.

[58] Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

"...laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul..."?

What garments? Why? We find echoes here of another "garment" section:

Matthew 7: 15 (RSV):

[15] "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

What is the clothing of sheep? Wool. What garments were made from wool, Symbolic of a Political Position? The Toga, emblematic of the Senator. Or perhaps the gluttonous Galba. If not him, then perhaps... We find, therefore, a continuing Theme. Though conquered, there are those who look to Rome for a "Kinder, Gentler" Governor of Syria1, by way of example, to which Judea would gladly submit. Frugi Piso, perhaps? No, he is beheaded by Otho and his body is taken to the Salt Road for burial by his wife.

Matthew 5: 13 (RSV):

[13] "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.

The Clue: "...and trodden under foot by men" - The Salt Road.

The bitter end approaches:

Acts 8: 1 - 3 (RSV):

[1] And Saul was consenting to his death.
And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Sama'ria, except the apostles.
[2] Devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.
[3] But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

And Saul was consenting to his death..."

MUCIANUS. Here. The Author of the Assassination.

And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Sama'ria, except the apostles...

Tacitus, Histories, Book 4:

"When Vitellius was dead, the war had indeed come to an end, but peace had yet to begin. Sword in hand, throughout the capital, the conquerors hunted down the conquered with merciless hatred. The streets were choked with carnage, the squares and temples reeked with blood, for men were massacred everywhere as chance threw them in the way. Soon, as their license increased, they began to search for and drag forth hidden foes. Whenever they saw a man tall and young they cut him down, making no distinction between soldiers and civilians. But the ferocity, which in the first impulse of hatred could be gratified only by blood, soon passed into the greed of gain. They let nothing be kept secret, nothing be closed; Vitellianists, they pretended, might be thus concealed. Here was the first step to breaking open private houses; here, if resistance were made, a pretext for slaughter. The most needy of the populace and the most worthless of the slaves did not fail to come forward and betray their wealthy masters; others were denounced by friends. Everywhere were lamentations, and wailings, and all the miseries of a captured city, till the license of the Vitellianist and Othonianist soldiery, once so odious, was remembered with regret. The leaders of the party, so energetic in kindling civil strife, were incapable of checking the abuse of victory. In stirring up tumult and strife the worst men can do the most, but peace and quiet cannot be established without virtue.

"Domitian had entered into possession of the title and residence of Caesar, but not yet applying himself to business, was playing the part of a son of the throne with debauchery and intrigue. The office of prefect of the Praetorian Guard was held by Arrius Varus, but the supreme power was in the hands of Primus Antonius, who carried off money and slaves from the establishment of the Emperor, as if they were the spoils of Cremona. The other generals, whose moderation or insignificance had shut them out from distinction in the war, had accordingly no share in its prizes. The country, terror-stricken and ready to acquiesce in servitude, urgently demanded that Lucius Vitellius with his cohorts should be intercepted on his way from Tarracina, and that the last sparks of war should be trodden out. The cavalry were sent on to Aricia, the main body of the legions halted on this side of Bovillae. Without hesitation Vitellius surrendered himself and his cohorts to the discretion of the conqueror, and the soldiers threw down their ill-starred arms in rage quite as much as in alarm. The long train of prisoners, closely guarded by armed men, passed through the capital. Not one of them wore the look of a suppliant; sullen and savage, they were unmoved by the shouts and jests of the insulting rabble. A few, who ventured to break away, were overpowered by the force that hemmed them in; the rest were thrown into prison. Not one of them uttered an unworthy word; even in disaster the honour of the soldier was preserved..."

It is at the Ascension of the Flavians.

"While things were in this state, while there was division in the Senate, resentment among the conquered, no real authority in the conquerors, and in the country at large no laws and no Emperor, Mucianus entered the capital, and at once drew all power into his own hands. The influence of Primus Antonius and Varus Arrius was destroyed; for the irritation of Mucianus against them, though not revealed in his looks, was but ill-concealed, and the country, keen to discover such dislikes, had changed its tone and transferred its homage. He alone was canvassed and courted, and he, surrounding himself with armed men, and bargaining for palaces and gardens, ceased not, what with his magnificence, his proud bearing, and his guards, to grasp at the power, while he waived the titles of Empire...

"This," they said, "has strengthened Vespasian no less than the exertions of Primus Antonius and Mucianus. Declared enmity and hostility may be openly repulsed, but treachery and fraud work in darkness, and so cannot be avoided...

"Caesar Domitian assumed the office of praetor of the city. His name was put at the head of despatches and edicts, but the real authority was in the hands of Mucianus, with this exception, that Domitian ventured on several acts of power, at the instigation of his friends, or at his own caprice. But Mucianus found his principal cause of apprehension in Primus Antonius and Varus Arrius, who, in the freshness of their fame, while distinguished by great achievements and by the attachment of the soldiery, were also supported by the people, because in no case had they extended their severities beyond the battle-field. It was also reported that Antonius had urged Scribonianus Crassus, whom an illustrious descent added to the honours of his brother made a conspicuous person, to assume the supreme power; and it was understood that a number of accomplices would not have failed to support him, had not the proposal been rejected by Scribonianus, who was a man not easily to be tempted even by a certainty, and was proportionately apprehensive of risk. Mucianus, seeing that Antonius could not be openly crushed, heaped many praises upon him in the Senate, and loaded him with promises in secret, holding out as a prize the government of Eastern Spain, then vacant in consequence of the departure of Cluvius Rufus. At the same time he lavished on his friends tribuneships and prefectures; and then, when he had filled the vain heart of the man with hope and ambition, he destroyed his power by sending into winter quarters the 7th legion, whose affection for Antonius was particularly vehement.."

Domitian is the Alpha and Omega since he was emperor before Vespasian ascended and after. Mucianus gathers Power in his hands and deals with deadly efficiency the Threat of Antonius Primus and others. The Piso Family. Order is re-established.

Vespasian ascends to the Throne. Titus will as well and will be deified, his life written as if a god had descended from Heaven. Domitian wishes to wield the pen last. That rewrite is finished later, after his death.

All due to a man named Mucianus. Who, though written into History as a man who never met the savior/god of Mankind, engineered his godhood.

CW

1 Edit Note:

J, War..., 2, 6, 2 (Complaining about Archelaus):

"Whereupon they prayed that the Romans would have compassion upon the [poor] remains of Judea, and not expose what was left of them to such as barbarously tore them to pieces, and that they would join their country to Syria, and administer the government by their own commanders, whereby it would [soon] be demonstrated that those who are now under the calumny of seditious persons, and lovers of war, know how to bear governors that are set over them, if they be but tolerable ones. So the Jews concluded their accusation with this request..."
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