King Jesus

by Robert Graves

First published 1946

Amazon

3.9(79)

King Jesus is a historical novel that retells the life of Jesus through Graves’s speculative reconstruction of dynastic, ritual and political background. The novel presents Jesus within Herodian Judaea, Roman provincial rule and Second Temple Jewish society, treating his public life as part of a contested royal and religious history. Its approach differs from orthodox Christian narrative by using genealogy, myth, kingship and ancient religion to reinterpret the events leading to the crucifixion.

Historical Periods

Herodian Kingdom of Judaea37–4 BCE Ministry and Crucifixion of Jesus27–33 CE

Genres

Biographical Fiction Court & Political Fiction Dynastic & Royal Fiction Mythological Fiction

Historical people

Jesus Christc. 6–4 BCE–c. 30/33 CE Herod the Great75 BCE–5 BCE Pontius Pilatusfl. c. 26–36 CE John the Baptist7 BCE–30 Mary Magdalenedied c. 1st century Herod Antipasborn 21 BCE