Unveiling the Mysteries: Tiberius Julius Abdes Pantera Ep.44

Scythian Jo-hn

This is an interesting person (a Roman soldier) and subject, who some claim a certain blood relationship between himself and our Beloved Savior, the Messiah.

Transcript

00:00Our story begins with a name etched in stone. Tiberius Julius Abdes Pantera, not a king or

00:09emperor, but an ordinary Roman soldier. He lived a life of duty and discipline in the Middle East.

00:15Pantera's name sparks debate and intrigue among historians. Born in Sidon, Roman Syria,

00:21around 22 BC, we know little about his early life. His tombstone, discovered centuries later,

00:27tells his story. The inscription offers a glimpse into a Roman auxiliary soldier's life. Pantera's

00:34story reminds us of the vast Roman Empire. Men from distant lands served together, bound by their

00:41oath to Rome. We will explore Pantera's military career, his unique name, and the mystery surrounding him.

00:48In 1859, the sleepy town of Bingerbrook, Germany, became an unexpected site of historical discovery.

00:59Railway workers excavating land for a new line unearthed a remarkable artifact, a tombstone.

01:06This was no ordinary tombstone, however. It bore a Latin inscription that would capture the imagination

01:12of historians and scholars for generations to come. The tombstone belonged to Tiberius Julius

01:19Abdes Pantera, a Roman auxiliary soldier. His name, etched clearly on the stone, provided a direct

01:27link to a period when Rome's legions marched through what is now modern-day Germany. The discovery sent

01:34ripples through the archaeological community, providing a valuable piece of the puzzle in understanding

01:40Roman military presence in the region. The tombstone's location hinted at the extent of Roman influence

01:47in the first century AD. Bingerbrook, situated on the Rhine River, was once part of the Roman province

01:55of Germania Superior. It was a region of strategic importance, heavily fortified by Roman legions.

02:03The discovery of Pantera's tombstone served as a tangible reminder of the soldiers who lived and died

02:10patrolling the empire's frontiers. The inscription on Pantera's tombstone, while worn by time, is

02:19remarkably detailed. It reads, Tib Arius Iulius Abdes Pantera, Miles Co. Autis, I Saggit Ariorum,

02:27Etnum Erorum, Natus Sidoni, Anorum Elksaya, Stependiorum Scius XX, Hycycytus Estimated. This translates to Tiberius

02:38Julius Abdes Pantera, soldier of the first cohort of archers, a Syrian from Sidon age 62 with 40 years

02:46of service, lies buried here. Each element of this inscription provides valuable information about

02:52Pantera's life. We learn his full name, his military unit, his birthplace, his age at death, and his

02:59impressive length of service. The inscription reveals a man who dedicated his life to the Roman army,

03:06rising through the ranks to achieve veteran status. The inscription also highlights the

03:12multicultural nature of the Roman army. Soldiers from across the vast empire, like Pantera from

03:19Sidon, served in Rome's legions. This diversity was a key strength of the Roman military, allowing it to

03:25draw on the skills and experience of soldiers from a wide range of backgrounds.

03:30Pantera's name is a fascinating blend of cultures and identities. Tiberius Julius suggests he received

03:40Roman citizenship, likely as a reward for his military service. This practice was common during this period,

03:48granting auxiliary soldiers the privileges of Roman citizenship upon retirement. Abdes, a shortened form

03:55of Abdias, is a name of Hebrew origin meaning servant of God. This indicates his likely Jewish heritage,

04:04a common background for individuals in Roman Syria. Finally, Pantera, meaning Panther in Greek,

04:11might have been a nickname earned during his military service, or a family name passed down through

04:16generations. His name therefore encapsulates the complex cultural tapestry of the Roman Empire.

04:23It speaks of assimilation, with the adoption of Roman names, while retaining ties to his Eastern origins.

04:30The name Pantera, with its connotations of strength and agility, further adds to the intrigue surrounding

04:38this enigmatic figure. Though the tombstone provides limited details, we can piece together a likely

04:47timeline of Plantera's military career. Born around 22 BC, he probably enlisted in his late teens or early 20s,

04:56a common practice for young men in the Roman Empire. He served in the first cohort of archers,

05:02a specialized unit known for their skill with bows and arrows. His unit was likely stationed in various

05:09locations throughout the empire during his 40 years of service. His presence in Bingabrook suggests he was

05:16part of the Roman forces tasked with securing the Rhine frontier. This region was a hotbed of conflict

05:21between the Romans and Germanic tribes. Pantera's long service spanning four decades is a testament to his

05:28endurance and dedication. He would have witnessed numerous campaigns, endured harsh conditions and

05:35fierce battles, and risen through the ranks to achieve veteran status. His tombstone serves as a silent

05:43testament to the countless soldiers who, like him, dedicated their lives to upholding the might of Rome.

05:52Adding to the intrigue surrounding Pantera are references found in Ethiopian literature. The Kebra Nargast,

05:59Ethiopia's national epic, mentions a figure named Pantera, who is said to have visited Ethiopia and

06:06fathered a child there. While the historical accuracy of the Kebra Nargast is debated, it is intriguing to

06:13consider the possibility of Pantera's influence extending beyond the Roman world. Some scholars speculate that

06:21Pantera, after retiring from the Roman army, might have traveled further afield. The Roman Empire had

06:28established trade routes to India and East Africa during this period, it is plausible, though unconfirmed,

06:35that Pantera could have journeyed to Ethiopia. However, it's crucial to approach these claims with caution.

06:42The Kebra Nargast was compiled centuries after Pantera's lifetime, and blends historical figures with

06:49mythology and legend. The Pantera mentioned in the text might be entirely unrelated to the Roman soldier,

06:57or the story may be a case of mistaken identity.

07:03Perhaps the most controversial aspect of Pantera's story is the hypothetical link between him and Jesus.

07:11This theory, while lacking conclusive evidence, has persisted for centuries.

07:15It stems primarily from the writings of Celsus, a second-century Greek philosopher and critic of

07:22Christianity. Celsus, in his work The True Word, claims that Jesus was the illegitimate son of a Roman soldier

07:30named Pantera. He uses this claim to discredit Jesus' lineage and, by extension, the foundations of

07:38Christianity. While Celsus doesn't explicitly name Pantera, the similarities in names and time periods have

07:46led some to connect the two figures. Origen, a prominent Christian theologian, vehemently refuted

07:52Celsus' accusations. He argued that the difference in their names, the lack of any historical evidence

07:59supporting Celsus' claim and the difference in their likely stations in life, made the connection implausible.

08:10It's crucial to acknowledge that the link between Pantera and Jesus remains purely speculative.

08:16No historical or archaeological evidence supports Celsus' claim. Furthermore, Celsus wrote The True Word

08:24as a critique of Christianity, suggesting his intention was to undermine the religion rather than present

08:31historically accurate information. The difference in names, while slight, is still significant.

08:39Pantera was a relatively common name in the Roman Empire, and Celsus' use of panthera might be

08:45coincidental. Additionally, the social gulf between a Roman soldier and Mary, a Jewish woman from Nazareth,

08:52makes the likelihood of a relationship slim. While the theory linking Pantera to Jesus

08:58continues to intrigue, it is essential to separate speculation from historical evidence.

09:04Until concrete proof emerges, the connection remains firmly in the realm of conjecture.

09:13The story of Tiberius Julius Abdes Pantera, though seemingly simple at first glance,

09:19is one layered with intrigue and enduring questions. His tombstone, discovered by chance, offers a glimpse

09:26into the life of a Roman auxiliary soldier, highlighting the diversity and vastness of the Roman world.

09:33While the link to Jesus remains speculative, it adds another layer of fascination to Pantera's story.

09:39It reminds us that history is often shrouded in mystery, leaving room for interpretation and debate.

09:46Pantera's name continues to resonate, not because of grand achievements or political power,

09:52but because he embodies the human stories woven into the fabric of history.

09:58His tombstone stands as a silent sentinel, a reminder of the countless individuals who lived,

10:04served and died far from home, their stories often lost to the sands of time.

10:10Tiberius Julius Abdes Pantera, the soldier from Sidon, continues to captivate our imagination,

10:17urging us to dig deeper, to question and to piece together the fragments of the past.

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