Brief refutation of the Flavian Hypothesis
Under the Flavian Conspiracy theory, Christianity was invented by the Flavian emperors (Vespasian, Titus, & Domitian 69 - 96 AD). They supposedly did this as a way to control people by inventing a false religion. Emperors are well known for creating religious movements as a way of controlling people, but this was primarily a matter of declaring an emperor to be a god. For example, Domitian had Titus declared a god. But this worked within paganism. Augustus was said to be secretly fathered by Apollo while his mother was at the temple. The imperial cult boasted temples across the empire. Cities without a statue of Augustus were rare. A primary problem with the Flavian Conspiracy is that Christianity is subversive of Roman morality. While it is not openly rebellious, it is harmful to Roman values in other ways. Christians would not make sacrifices to pagan gods or praise the genius (divine right to rule) of the emperor. T...