My Name is Jesus, Son of Sapphias
Chapter 1: Birth and Lineage I was born in Tiberias, a thriving city on the Sea of Galilee. My father, Sapphias, was a respected figure, known for his wisdom and leadership. He made sure I learned our traditions, studied the Torah, and understood the ways of both governance and warfare. Though Tiberias was full of life and wealth, it was also a city of unrest. The influence of Rome loomed over us, and despite the city's being built in honor of Emperor Tiberius by Herod Antipas, many of our people resented the foreign rulers. From a young age, I watched my father navigate the tension between our people and the Romans. It was a lesson that would stay with me my whole life. Chapter 2: The Rise of Rebellion As I grew older, I could no longer ignore the suffering of our people. The heavy taxes, the disregard for our customs, and the oppression by the Roman governors and their collaborators pushed many of us to consider resistance. In those years, I became a leader among the people of Ti...