Fragmentary Latin inscription from Tivoli and Titulus Venetus relating to the career of Publius Sulpicius Quirinius
Fragmentary Latin funerary inscriptions detailing the career of a Roman consular general who served as proconsul of Asia, conquered the Homonadenses in Cilicia, and was twice governor/legate of Syria.
Rigorous 4-part empirical analysis separating ancient text from bias and consensus
The surviving Latin text of Lapis Tiburtinus describes an unnamed consul who received triumphal honors and 'governed Syria as legate a second time' (legatus Syriae iterum). The Titulus Venetus (CIL III 6687) explicitly mentions Quirinius ordering a census in Apamea, Syria.
Pertains to the major historical debate surrounding Luke 2:2 ('This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria'): Quirinius conducted a well-known census of Judea in 6 AD upon the deposition of Archelaus (`ACT.5:37`), but Luke references an earlier census under Augustus around Jesus's birth.
Scholars like William Ramsay and N.T. Wright argue Quirinius held an extraordinary military command in the East during 6–2 BC while carrying out the initial registration; minimalist critics argue Luke confused the 6 AD census with Herod's reign.
Roman senatorial cursus honorum memorializing high military and civil achievements.