Frank Lawton

The many Jesus-like figures of the ancient world

Early Christianity positively welcomed comparisons between Jesus and Socrates, Asclepius, Emperor Vespasian and Apollonius of Tyana, according to Catherine Nixey

Considered one of the most famous miracle-workers of his day, and with his divine birth, trial before the Romans and apparent resurrection, the 1st-century Greek philosopher Apollonius of Tyana bore striking similarities to Jesus. [Alamy]
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  • Heresy: Jesus Christ and the Other Sons of God

    Catherine Nixey

    Picador, pp. 384, £25

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