Editing Abgar V (section)

==Letters of Abgar to Tiberius==

Letters between Abgar V and the Roman [[Emperor Tiberius]] are also recorded in history, by for instance the Armenian historian [[Movses Khorenatsi]], scholars as Ilaria Ramelli have argued for the core of these being essentially authentic based on:<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ramelli |first1=Ilaria |title=Possible Historical Traces in the Doctrina Addai |journal=Hugoye: Journal of Syriac Studies |date=2011 |url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.31826/hug-2011-090104/html}}</ref>
<blockquote> This work seems to preserve very ancient  material, such as the information on the friendship between Abgar, correctly called toparkhês of Edessa, and the prefect of Egypt, in my view  probably [[Aulus Avilius Flaccus|A. Avillius Flaccus]], who ruled Egypt AD 32 to 38—just the years of Vitellius’ mandate in the Near East and of the Abgar-Tiberius correspondence—and is well known to us thanks to Philo, ''In Flaccum'', 1-3; 25; 40; 116; 158. He was one of the most intimate friends  of  Tiberius;  he  was  born  and  grew  up  in  Rome  with  Augustus’  nieces,  obtained  the  government  of  Egypt,  a  direct  possession   of   the   emperor,   and   probably   helped   the   good   relationship  between  Abgar  and  Tiberius  that  is  evident  in  their  correspondence.</blockquote>

Abgar's initial letter to Tiberius read:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0859.htm|title=CHURCH FATHERS: History of Armenia (Moses of Chorene)|website=www.newadvent.org|accessdate=7 May 2023}}</ref>

<blockquote>Abgar, king of Armenia, to my Lord Tiberius, emperor of the Romans, greeting:—

I know that nothing is unknown to your Majesty, but, as your friend, I would make you better acquainted with the facts by writing. The Jews who dwell in the cantons of Palestine have crucified Jesus: Jesus without sin, Jesus after so many acts of kindness, so many wonders and miracles wrought for their good, even to the raising of the dead. Be assured that these are not the effects of the power of a simple mortal, but of God. During the time that they were crucifying Him, [[Crucifixion darkness|the sun was darkened, the earth was moved, shaken]]; Jesus Himself, three days afterwards, rose from the dead and appeared to many. Now, everywhere, His name alone, invoked by His disciples, produces the greatest miracles: what has happened to myself is the most evident proof of it. Your august Majesty knows henceforth what ought to be done in future with respect to the Jewish nation, which has committed this crime; your Majesty knows whether a command should not be published through the whole universe to worship Christ as the true God. Safety and health.</blockquote>

Tiberius' reply read:

<blockquote>Tiberius, emperor of the Romans, to Abgar, king of the Armenians, greeting:—

Your kind letter has been read to me, and I wish that thanks should be given to you from me. Though we had already heard several persons relate these facts, Pilate has officially informed us of the miracles of Jesus. He has certified to us that after His resurrection from the dead He was acknowledged by many to be God. Therefore I myself also wished to do what you propose; but, as it is the custom of the Romans not to admit a god merely by the command of the sovereign, but only when the admission has been discussed and examined in full senate, I proposed the affair to the senate, and they rejected it with contempt, doubtless because it had not been considered by them first. But we have commanded all those whom Jesus suits, to receive him among the gods. We have threatened with death any one who shall speak evil of the Christians. As to the Jewish nation which has dared to crucify Jesus, who, as I hear, far from deserving the cross and death, was worthy of honour, worthy of the adoration of men — when I am free from the war with rebellious Spain, I will examine into the matter, and will treat the Jews as they deserve.</blockquote>