FergusonPoetryProject LLC

In the twenty-first century it is uncommon to not be familiar with the title of Caesar. Especially in the Western World, the name Caesar still holds a status even two thousand plus years after his reign over the Roman Empire. Another name that is familiar, but not always closely tied to Caesar (though it should be) is the name and person Pompey.

Aside from the famous historical event of Mount Vesuvius destroying the city of Pompeii in modern day Italy, the man Pompey holds just as much of a stronghold in making the history books as Caesar, and his life, along with Caesars, directly impacted the development of the ancient Roman Republic, the late Roman Empire, and the lands along the Mediterranean Rim that incubated Christianity for its first several hundred years after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ from Nazareth in what is the modern state Israel.

Pompey and Caesar ruled the Mediterranean Rim consisting of North Africa, Western Asia, the Middle East, and Europe where the testimonies of Jesus Christ, Paul and many of the first-century disciples spread like wildfire during the first half of the millennia in what is now called the common era. Along with the historic Cassus, Caesar and Pompey allowed the remnants of Alexander the Great and Greek culture to become the building blocks for their mighty conglomerate known as the Roman Republic.

Julius Caesar (the first Caesar) had one child, a daughter, and named her Julia. Julia was the spawn of both Julius and one of Julius’ wives known as Cornelia. Julia was born in 76 BC (BCE) and at the age of 17 was removed from an engagement to a Servilius Caepio (though some rumor it to have been one of his future assassins known as Marcus Junius Brutus). She was then married to the renowned Pompey, who despite being thirty years older was a compatible mate for his beloved daughter.

Pompey’s reign as a Roman General not only bought him the name ‘Pompey the Great’, but it solidified his stronghold as a leader who led by the front. The First Triumvirate (a military stronghold and partnership between Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey active between 60-52 BC {BCE}) allowed the newfound Republic to expand the Roman borders in every direction like a nuclear explosion. In opposition to traditional monarchy, the Roman Republic began conquering with ease any enemy they faced through shear legion might and sophisticated strategy.

Once Crassus died, followed by the death of Julius daughter during childbirth, Julia, aka Pompey’s wife, the dominoes were perfectly placed for the inevitable battle of the two political figureheads to take place. [Side note** it is possible that the term Cesarian, as an option for childbirth, was given around this time due to the possibility of being able to save a child’s life knowing the mother was not going to survive the birthing process. Knowing that both Julia and her baby died during childbirth, it is possible that the effort to save both her and the baby by avoiding the thrash of being gutted was a choice that Pompey made, in love, for both Julia and his child. This is while Pompey was disregarding the rumor that Julius himself had been born of C-section, and an heir was better than no heir. Along with political strife, loss of both Julia and an heir directly tore the relationship between Caesar and Pompey in half].
Immediately after the Triumvirate fell a civil war broke out leading to Caesar becoming the seemingly more mighty leader.
It was less than five years later Julius Caesar was assassinated. Octavian (later known as Augustus and also Julius Caesar’s adoptive son) formed the Second Triumvirate (with Mark Antony and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus) to continue the stronghold known as the Roman Republic aka the Roman Empire.

These dominoes that fell following the death of Julia opened the doors for a desperate Rome (containing magistrates and council) to imbue total authority to the Second Triumvirate leading to an authoritarian government. As the scene begins to recycle itself the powerful Mark Antony gave his daughter Claudia over to wed Octavian in completion of their group alliance. To further implement the powers of the Empire and its authoritative rulers proscription was re-implemented meaning death and banishment was available as legal court ruling in cases that seemed to oppose the desires of the Republic. One of the primary forms of public execution to strike fear into those who may disobey the Empire became known as Crucifixion.

Several years later, a second civil war broke out against the two immortalized assassins of Julius Caesar named Brutus and Cassius leading the ’Liberators’ against the Second Triumvirate. They were defeated in the city of Philippi which became one of the founding cities of the first century Christian church. In 42 BC (BCE) over 200,000 soldiers fought in a two front battle leading to both Brutus and Cassius individually committing suicide to escape capture along with a torturous execution. Their deaths allowed the Second Triumvirate to consume all authority in the Roman Republic.

With the Liberators out of the way the Roman Empire was able to fully take shape as both magistrates and council were merged under the authority of Octavian and Mark Antony. Octavian was married to Antony’s daughter Claudia while three years late Antony married Octavian’s sister Octavia. Antony began living with Cleopatra VII of Egypt and by 31 BC (BCE) enough political turmoil led to the battle of Actium where Octavian defeated both Antony and Cleopatra. Both Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide in 30 BC (BCE) to avoid a torturous Roman Execution.

Renamed, “Augustus” in 37 BC (BCE), Octavian became the first ‘Principate’ or Emperor of the brand new Roman Empire thus ending the traditional Republic. Augustus died at the age of 48 and a month before his 49th birthday. He lived his last thirteen years of life as a Divine Ruler. The domino of Julia’s death continued to shape the world in the most unpredictable way.

Tiberius Caesar Augustus, who was Octavian’s successor and step-son, lived 78 years and spent his final 51 years as a Divine Rule, or Emperor. Tiberius’ mother Livia Drusilla divorced her first husband named Tiberius Claudius Nero to marry Octavian Caesar Augustus and in turn was re-named Julia Caesar in honor of Augustus late-adoptive sister. Emperor Tiberius then spawned his successor Emperor Caligula who spawned his successor Emperor Claudius who spawned his successor Emperor Nero who led the largest war for Christian Persecution as the fifth official Emperor of Rome at the age of 17. This was the same age as Julia (Julius Caesar’s daughter) when she was married off to the 47 year old Pompey.

Nero’s full name was Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. Interestingly, Nero was tutored by the infamous Philosopher Seneca whose writings are paired nicely with future Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius who continued in the studies of stoicism over 100 years later. Nero ruled Rome from 54 AD (CE)- 68 AD (CE).
The Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD (CE) became the cornerstone for public blame against the Christians to protect the integrity of polytheistic Roman Empire. Two-thirds of Rome was burned in the fire, and being a capital city in the Empire it became opened a personal vendetta for many Roman Citizen commoners to desire to find, capture, and eradicate Christians. At the age of 27 he found himself leading persecution against the Christian terrorists and implementing persecution that lasted hundreds of years. Three years after these declarations he took his own life.

And so, according to the time frame of Ancient Rome and its Caesars, Tiberius Caesar would have been the active Caesar during Jesus life and ministry on earth. When Jesus said, “render to Caesar what is Caesars…” he was specifically referencing Tiberius Caesar Augustus who was the second official Caesar from 14 AD (CE)- 37 AD (CE). Tiberius Caesar Augustus was 55 years old when he became Emperor of Rome.

Fast forwarding to Marcus Aurelius who was Roman Emperor between March 7th 161 and March 17th 180, the Empire of Rome was experiencing growth while continuing its fight against the proclaimed terrorist group known as the Christians. A letter suspected to have been written by Marcus ordered the cease of Christian persecution by Rome after Christian prayer led to the quenching of thirst by Roman soldiers. This letter, at the time, was regarded as being a false claim and so it allowed the lower bureaucratic senate to declare that Christian persecution would continue, and so it did for many more decades.

It was not until ‘Constantine the Great’ held his reign from July 25th 306- May 22nd 337 that a Roman Emperor not only used his authority to end Christian persecution, but also made Christianity the religion of the Empire. In February of 313, Christians were officially able to worship without oppression. This followed the conversion of Constantine himself in the year 312.
And so, Christianity began to spread over the globe into the twenty-first century of the common era. Christianity, the religion that spread throughout the Mediterranean rim throughout historical cities built by the Roman Empire and its early Republic. Christianity, the religion who’s leader, and Lord Jesus, was crucified as a sacrifice for his people unlike the traditional Roman elites who would rather kill themselves than be captured and tortured in such a humiliating way. Christianity, the religion misnomered as terrorism that survived by forming in homes and caves and small business to avoid persecution and execution. Christianity, the religion that leaked into temples throughout the first century through a renowned Greek/Hebrew man named Saul who at first led persecutions (along with approving the execution of Stephen who was one of the seven leaders chosen by the first-century disciples), and then was converted into the apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. Christianity, the religion that birthed in the Roman conquered Holy Land of Israel starting in Bethlehem, and then Nazareth, and around Capernaum and Galilee leading towards the Jordan and Jerusalem before blasting throughout the known world. Christianity, the faith that started as a terrorist organization against the Empire and eventually became the religion of the Empire.

Tracing back to the death of Julia, we can see the end of the Roman Republic, the formation of the Roman Empire, the formation of the Caesars as Divine Rulers or Emperors, and the formation of Proscribing Capital Punishment know as Crucifixion. Without these steps in history, we would not have the story of Jesus and the cross as we know it. Without Emperor Augustus to Emperor Tiberius, Emperor Nero to Emperor Marcus Aurelius, and eventually Emperor Constantine the Great, we would not have seen Christianity form in the way it did going from the ‘religion of terror’ (being blamed for causing the Great Fire of Rome) to becoming the beloved faith of the Empire before its split into Byzantium. Thus, the formation of the Roman Catholic Church and the inevitable collapse of the Roman Empire became major markers in Christian History as a domino affect from the death of a 22 year old during childbirth.

To close and to clarify, Jesus was inevitable. Jesus’ sacrifice was inevitable. His testimony was inevitable. These ’Game of Thrones’ played by ancient men lusting for power while being played by the dramas of human emotion helps us understand that mankind, society, and human tendency is truly identical today as it was two thousand years ago. Despite the faults and failures of mankind, and the continued realization that we all fall short of the glory of God we can be be grateful that the grace, mercy, and favor found in Jesus can cover our sins, transgressions, and short-comings. The power of Jesus can not only transform us, but it can allow us to break generational curses that lead to messy lineage and over dramatic heritage.

For those who do not know or understand their History are bound to repeat it… and so, will you put your faith in Jesus today? Will you choose to take a chance to make a difference in your own life for the sake of your future family and current community?

As always, God Bless,

James Arthur Ferguson