Claudius reigned from 41 to AD 54. Suetonius reports that he expelled from Rome the Jews who were constantly causing disturbances ‘at the instigation of Chrestus’, an expulsion usually dated to AD 49 on the authority of the fifth-century historian Orosius.
Acts 18:2 says that Aquila and Priscilla had come to Corinth because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Scholars still debate the identity of Chrestus, but many historians think the disturbances arose from disputes in Rome’s synagogues over claims about Christ, which would make this the earliest pagan reference to the Christian movement.
Where to start
Every mention
9 writings- AD 52The Gallio inscription (Delphi)Stones and Scrolls6×
- AD 85The Acts of the ApostlesThe New Testament2×
- AD 93Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, Book 20: the death of James, brother of JesusWitnesses Outside the Church1×
- AD 96The First Epistle of Clement to the CorinthiansThe Early Church1×
- AD 120Suetonius, Life of Claudius 25: the expulsion over “Chrestus”Witnesses Outside the Church5×
- AD 153Justin Martyr, First ApologyThe Early Church1×
- AD 180Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies, Book IThe Early Church1×
- 2026The documentary record of Jesus and the movements that interpreted himThe Dossier1×
- 2026Sources and further readingThe Dossier2×