In the first century of the common era, two families, inextricably entwined, would shape the course of history. Their quest for power set them on a collision path that shook an empire to its core, altered a thousand year old religious tradition culminating in the destruction of its Temple and ending the sacrificial system, and initiating a redefined expectation that conquered western civilization and dominates religious understanding to this day.
Caiaphas instigated and complied with the process that climaxed in the death of Jesus of Nazareth for sedition. His brother-in-law ordered the stoning death of James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus. Jews and Romans continued to harass Jesus� family members, leaders of the nascent �Christian� movement in Jerusalem, into the early second century. Probable casualties included a wife institutional Christianity maligned, a son second century followers of Jesus refused to acknowledge, brothers whose important roles were greatly diminished and marginalized, a mother whose reputation was reclaimed with mythological make over, and a Jewish interpretation of Jesus and his ministry distorted and demonized by secondary, Hellenistic interpreters.
