It is during the 14th full year of the rule of Caesar Tiberius. In Jerusalem, the day following the evening of the observation of the Feast of Passover, as the opening of the greater observation of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Pontius Pilate has been called to judge in the matter of one "Jehosua Bar Josef" by the City Elders and Priesthood, who proclaimed him to be a religious rebel against Rome. The previous night, he experienced a terrible nightmare, in which he was warned not to intervene in the fate of those brought before him that day.
In our timeline, Pilate would, according to the Gospels, stand aside, and accede to the demand of the crowd that Jehosua would be crucified, and Barabbas be set free. But what if a Pilate different in temperament presided over this judicial proceeding. This different Pilate grew up a devout servant of the Capitoline and Lateran Triads. Had he been born in Pharaonic Egypt, Spring and Autumn State of Han or Han Dynasty China, or as a Brahmin in Pre-Asoka Maurya India, he would have joined a temple priesthood. Alas, aside from a few mountaintop shrines throughout Italy and Greece, and the famous Vestal Virgins, it appears that there were no full-time clergy to the Greco-Roman Olympians according to Latin observance, only government officials acting part-time.
Nonetheless, this Pilate believes in the Olympians with a devotion alien to most pre-Christian Indo-European peoples save Zoroastrian Persians and possibly Germano-Norse Asatru. He believes the God of Israel was trying to prevent him from nipping a Jewish Rebellion in the bud, keeping any window of opportunity for YHWH use this prospective diversion to sneak over to Mount Olympus or the Capitoline Hill to kill and impersonate Jupiter!
When Jehosua Ber Josef is brought before him, a different confrontation occurs.
How Jesus responds to this situation is not relevant. The real question is, assuming this sentence and the orders afterward are carried out without a hitch, and that, when some time later Pilate is sent to Rome for trial and Caligula not only chooses to try him, but personally acquits Pilate and names him a Senator, how does this effect the development of Christianity if Jesus it executed and his remains treated in this manner rather than being crucified and laid bodily in a tomb?
In our timeline, Pilate would, according to the Gospels, stand aside, and accede to the demand of the crowd that Jehosua would be crucified, and Barabbas be set free. But what if a Pilate different in temperament presided over this judicial proceeding. This different Pilate grew up a devout servant of the Capitoline and Lateran Triads. Had he been born in Pharaonic Egypt, Spring and Autumn State of Han or Han Dynasty China, or as a Brahmin in Pre-Asoka Maurya India, he would have joined a temple priesthood. Alas, aside from a few mountaintop shrines throughout Italy and Greece, and the famous Vestal Virgins, it appears that there were no full-time clergy to the Greco-Roman Olympians according to Latin observance, only government officials acting part-time.
Nonetheless, this Pilate believes in the Olympians with a devotion alien to most pre-Christian Indo-European peoples save Zoroastrian Persians and possibly Germano-Norse Asatru. He believes the God of Israel was trying to prevent him from nipping a Jewish Rebellion in the bud, keeping any window of opportunity for YHWH use this prospective diversion to sneak over to Mount Olympus or the Capitoline Hill to kill and impersonate Jupiter!
When Jehosua Ber Josef is brought before him, a different confrontation occurs.
Pilate: I experienced a dream last night. It told me terrible things would befall me and my house should I make my own decision in this matter. I did not know that voice, and I do not take kindly to threats.
I have been keeping tabs on this man, Jehosua Bar Josef. My eyes see where he's been and my ears hear the things he has taught. He is indeed an enemy of Rome and all she stands for. Because his words show he desires death, I shall grant it, but I shall not grant the death he desires. A spear (specifically, a pilum) shall be placed in his hand,, point tward him and thrust at his entrails. Then his other hand shall be brought to his neck, his fingers at this throat, those fingers shall squeeze until he dies.
After this, his body shall be burned in my presence, his ashes interred in a clay urn, sealed shut with more clay. A Cohort of the Syrian Legion shall escort that urn on an overland journey to Sicily, save the Dardanelles and the Strait of Messina. There, they shall make the journey to the caldera of Mount Etna, and throw that urn into it.
(walks over to Jesus and whispers into his ear) I have read your people's Books of Moses. The laws they hold do not speak of choice, save to worship your people's god, but demand action or inaction alone. If you accept this death your god will reject you. If you resist, there will be nowhere your disciples can hide where Rome's might cannot find them, and we will spread the tale of your death anyway.
I have been keeping tabs on this man, Jehosua Bar Josef. My eyes see where he's been and my ears hear the things he has taught. He is indeed an enemy of Rome and all she stands for. Because his words show he desires death, I shall grant it, but I shall not grant the death he desires. A spear (specifically, a pilum) shall be placed in his hand,, point tward him and thrust at his entrails. Then his other hand shall be brought to his neck, his fingers at this throat, those fingers shall squeeze until he dies.
After this, his body shall be burned in my presence, his ashes interred in a clay urn, sealed shut with more clay. A Cohort of the Syrian Legion shall escort that urn on an overland journey to Sicily, save the Dardanelles and the Strait of Messina. There, they shall make the journey to the caldera of Mount Etna, and throw that urn into it.
(walks over to Jesus and whispers into his ear) I have read your people's Books of Moses. The laws they hold do not speak of choice, save to worship your people's god, but demand action or inaction alone. If you accept this death your god will reject you. If you resist, there will be nowhere your disciples can hide where Rome's might cannot find them, and we will spread the tale of your death anyway.
How Jesus responds to this situation is not relevant. The real question is, assuming this sentence and the orders afterward are carried out without a hitch, and that, when some time later Pilate is sent to Rome for trial and Caligula not only chooses to try him, but personally acquits Pilate and names him a Senator, how does this effect the development of Christianity if Jesus it executed and his remains treated in this manner rather than being crucified and laid bodily in a tomb?