THE YEAR GOD DIED

New York Times bestselling author James Lacey overturns centuries of historical beliefs in this account of how the Roman Empire shaped the life and death of Jesus. The first book to employ accepted historical methodologies, THE YEAR GOD DIED sheds new and startling light on one of history's most enigmatic figures by examining Jesus through the lens of the tumultuous era in which he lived.

In late 31 AD, after the Roman senators murdered Lucius Sejanus, the Roman Emperor Tiberius's closest confidant, the Empire was forever changed. If Sejanus had not been murdered, Jesus would never have been crucified. This is the first book to make this crucial connection which leans heavily to prove that the New Testament narrative is mostly myth and challenges years of historical orthodoxy. THE YEAR GOD DIED contradicts longstanding historical malpractice to reveal the most comprehensive and accurate view of the New Testament. Lacey explains how the events in Rome drove events in Judeawhich is directly linked to Jesus' crucifixion. He uncovers a vibrant and rich world, but one still coming to grips with the reality of Roman power. He introduces ten-year-old Boadicea, who is destined to lead Britain's tribes in a great revolt against Rome. He depicts Varus marching his legions past a four-year-old Jesus on his war to Jerusalem. And he describes how Herod prospers by appeasing some of the most dangerous people in historyPompey, Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony, Cleopatra, and Augustus. Dr. James Lacey is the professor of strategy at the Marine Corps War College. He also holds the Horner Chair of War Studies at Marine Corps University. Prior to taking this position, he was a widely published senior analyst at the Institute for Defense Analyses in Washington, D.C. His previous works include ROME: A Strategy for Empire, MOMENT OF BATTLE, THE FIRST CLASH (a New York Times Bestseller), GREAT STRATEGIC RIVALRIES, GODS OF WAR, and THE WASHINGTON WAR. Lacey was inspired to write this book when researching the Roman Empire for his previous work, ROME: Strategy of Empire.