Watch Caesar's Messiah: The Roman Conspiracy to Invent Jesus

"Caesar's Messiah: The Roman Conspiracy to Invent Jesus" is a gripping and controversial documentary that explores the theory that the story of Jesus Christ was not a historically accurate account of a man who lived in Palestine in the early years of the Common Era, but a clever piece of propaganda created by the Roman aristocracy in order to pacify the Jewish people and maintain their control over the region.

The documentary is based on the research of Joseph Atwill, who argues that the Flavian dynasty of Rome, led by Emperor Titus (79-81 CE), used the Jewish-Roman war of 66-73 CE to create a new religion that would unite the Jewish people under Roman rule. Atwill argues that the Gospels of the New Testament were written by Roman intellectuals and that they contain hidden messages, in the form of allegories, that reveal the true purpose of Christianity.

The documentary begins with Atwill explaining his theory and presenting evidence to support it. He notes that the Gospel of Mark, the earliest Gospel, was written shortly after the Jewish-Roman war and contains many references to the war and to the destruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Atwill also points out that the Flavian dynasty had a history of using literature and propaganda to promote their image and maintain their power, including creating the idea of the Roman triumph and commissioning the writing of historical works such as the "Annals" of Tacitus.

The documentary then takes a closer look at the Gospels themselves, examining the symbolism and hidden meanings within the texts. Atwill argues that the Gospels contain a coded message that reveals the Roman origin of Christianity. He claims that the character of Jesus is a composite figure, based on the lives of several historical and mythical figures, including Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, and the Jewish messiah Moses. Atwill also suggests that the stories of Jesus' miracles and resurrection were created to parallel the miracles and apotheosis of Caesar and other Roman leaders.

Throughout the documentary, Atwill is joined by other scholars and experts, including Rod Blackhirst and Robert Eisenman, who offer different perspectives and challenges to his theory. Blackhirst, for example, disagrees with Atwill's argument that the Gospels were meant to be read as allegories, and instead sees them as historical accounts. Eisenman, on the other hand, agrees that there may have been a Roman conspiracy to invent Jesus, but believes that the true origins of Christianity are much more complex and multifaceted.

"Caesar's Messiah" is a thought-provoking and controversial documentary that challenges long-held beliefs about the origins of Christianity. Atwill's theory, while not accepted by all scholars, is well-supported by the evidence he presents and offers a radical new interpretation of the Gospels. The documentary raises important questions about the relationship between religion and power, and about the ways in which propaganda can shape our understanding of history. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of Christianity and the Roman Empire.

Caesar's Messiah: The Roman Conspiracy to Invent Jesus is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.