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PODCAST

The First Century

This is the First Century, a podcast devoted to stories from that influential period of history, including Rome, Judea, Christianity, and more. Your host is Dr. Brian Schmisek. Get ready to go back in time and enter a world before computers, the stagecoach, the printing press, or even stirrups for horses were invented. We are about to enter…The First Century

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All Episodes

9:50

Episode Twenty: Problems with Parthians; Herod...

The First Century ·

2026/02/07

The Parthian king, harboring resentment against Tiberius, makes moves against the Roman empire. Tiberius enlists the help of Herod Antipas in dealing with the situation. Herod Agrippa presses his luck with the princeps and ends up under house arrest. SHOWNOTES Artabanus had once penned a letter accusing Tiberius of murdering members of his own family, slaughtering innocent people, neglecting his duties, and indulging his lusts. Artabanus concluded the letter by urging Tiberius to satisfy the deep

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9:29

Episode Nineteen: Herod Agrippa's Discontent and...

The First Century ·

2026/01/31

Herod Agrippa and his wife Cypros are unhappy and attempt to change their fortune with mixed results. When updating his will, Tiberius considers his options in naming an heir. SHOWNOTES Alexander Lysimachus, the port official known as the Alabarch, had a brother named Philo, an influential Jewish intellectual. (Jos. Ant. 18.259). Alexander also knew Antonia, the mother of Germanicus, Livilla, and Claudius, as he had acted as Antonia’s steward years earlier. (Jos. Ant. 19.276). In the spring of 36

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10:14

Episode Eighteen: Activities on the Island of Capri;...

The First Century ·

2026/01/24

Tiberius and the imperial court continue to engage in unusual behavior on Capri. After Gaius's pregnant wife dies, he begins an affair, promising to marry the woman if and when he becomes princeps. Tiberius gives his favorite adolescent boy a nickname and promotes the boy's father to higher office. The sect of the Nazorean continues to grow in Jerusalem. SHOWNOTES Lucius Vitellius visited Gaius. Lucius and his three brothers, Publius, Aulus, and Quintus, came from an equestrian family. Their

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14:54

Episode Seventeen: Pentecost in 33

The First Century ·

2026/01/17

After the death of Jesus over Passover, some of his followers began to make fantastical claims. At Pentecost, Simon Peter addressed Jewish pilgrims about these beliefs, leading some to join the sect of the Nazorean. SHOW NOTES Redemption would come from Mount Zion (Isa 2:2-4; 59:20, the latter cited in Rom 11:26). "Maranatha" (1 Cor 16:22; Didache 10:14) "Afterward he [Jesus] journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God

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11:20

Episode Sixteen: The Death of Jesus of Nazareth

The First Century ·

2026/01/10

After Jesus entered Jerusalem to cries of "Hosannah to the Son of David" the political and religious authorities work together to eliminate this potential threat. Show Notes Jesus replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.’” (Luke 13:31-32 NABRE) "If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and you hang him on a tree, his corpse shall not remain on the tree overnight. You must bury it

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8:43

Episode Fifteen: The Death of John the Baptist; The...

The First Century ·

2026/01/03

When Antipas has John executed, Jesus goes into hiding. A debt-ridden Agrippa is encouraged by his wife to seek help from his half-brother, the same Antipas.

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11:22

Episode Fourteen: The Downfall of Sejanus

The First Century ·

2025/12/20

Sejanus' past actions finally catch up with him and he is denounced and executed the same day on orders from Tiberius. A period of retribution ensnares family members and others.

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9:53

Episode Thirteen: Galilean Pilgrims in Jerusalem;...

The First Century ·

2025/12/13

In Jerusalem some Galilean pilgrims run into trouble when making a sacrifice. Livia, the Augusta, passes away at the age of 84, attributing her long life to the regular consumption of a particular wine. And with her passing, Sejanus has an opening to eliminate Agrippina and her two oldest sons.

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9:55

Episode Twelve: John the Baptist, mentor to Jesus of...

The First Century ·

2025/12/06

John the Baptist finds a worthy apprentice in the person of Jesus, from the small village of Nazareth in Galilee. Together they baptize many people before John is arrested by Herod Antipas, driving Jesus into hiding. The imprisoned John has a question for Jesus who replies with a mix of scripture and a beatitude for John himself.

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7:26

Episode Eleven: Herod Antipas makes a bold move and...

The First Century ·

2025/11/29

Herod Antipas, attracted to his niece Herodias, the wife of his half-brother, decides to divorce his own wife, Phaesalis, the daughter of Aretas, King of the Nabateans. He will then marry Herodias himself. Antipas secures support from Rome for his plan, but it invokes the wrath of Aretas and a wilderness prophet named John.

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13:08

Episode Ten: Pontius Pilate arrives in Judea as...

The First Century ·

2025/11/22

The equestrian Pontius Pilate takes up duties as Prefect of Judea without a legate of Syria in the region, only to be confronted with potential problems. Members of the imperial family find partners in marriage.

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14:27

Episode Nine: Death of Tiberius' son Drusus means new...

The First Century ·

2025/11/15

When Tiberius's son Drusus dies the princeps names as co-heirs the oldest sons of Agrippina. Herod Antipas engages in building projects and secures an alliance with the Nabateans. Tiberius quarrels with Agrippina and his mother Livia before departing for Capri.

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14:15

Episode Eight: Germanicus' Triumph and Death;...

The First Century ·

2025/11/08

Germanicus and his family celebrate a triumph in Rome after avenging the loss of the Teutoburg forest. He is rewarded with an appointment in the East only to fall ill and die under mysterious circumstances. In the capital, Tiberius demonstrates imperial justice and clemency, influenced by a vestal virgin.

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14:09

Episode Seven: Battle of the Teutoburg Forest (9 CE)...

The First Century ·

2025/11/01

The first decade of the first century saw a terrible defeat for the Roman army. Three legions were destroyed in Germania. General Varus and his men, who were leading the expedition, committed suicide after witnessing their devastating loss. Five years later, Augustus passed away at the age of 75.

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14:53

Episode 6: The Death of Lucius and Gaius, Octavian's...

The First Century ·

2025/10/25

After Augustus' two most prominent and promising grandsons died within a span of less than two years, another succession quandary is created. And Judea sees revolts against Roman rule.

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14:34

Episode Five: The Death of Herod the Great

The First Century ·

2025/10/18

When Herod the Great died, his will needed to be ratified by Augustus, which led to a political intrigue.

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12:30

Episode Four: The Death of Marcus Agrippa

The First Century ·

2025/10/11

Augustus' key ally died, creating an opening for new heir.

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13:26

Episode Three: Octavian Declared Augustus

The First Century ·

2025/09/28

After the civil wars, Octavian was declared Augustus by the Roman Senate, and a period of stability followed. Herod the Great rules in Judea.

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11:29

Episode Two: The Assassination of Julius Caesar,...

The First Century ·

2025/09/28

Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BCE followed by Antipater the following year. Each would have a profound impact on first century.

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11:16

Episode One: A Scorching Summer in Samaria

The First Century ·

2025/09/28

Pilate puts down a religious movement at Mount Gerizim before we step back and see how Rome came to rule this region.

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