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Reading the commentarii

The commentarii of Pilate's wife have a compelling, almost novelistic narrative unity; most readers should find the entries far more rewarding when read in chronological sequence from beginning to end. Written in a clear, economical style, this account not only offers an often panoramic view of our culture's defining event, but also an insider's harrowing experience of one of the Roman empire's most audacious and brutal political intrigues. On yet another level we find a provocative personal history, as Pilate's wife awakens from (or, perhaps, to) the nightmare of her own past.
The commentarii entries are presented in the order Pilate's wife wrote them, usually at the end of each day; some days are skipped and some days have multiple entries. Navigating in and around these entries is simple and intuitive; just use " next" or "previous" button end of each day's entry. To quickly go to a selected entry, use the "Contents" link on the navigation bar at the beginning and end of each entry.
In the format of this site, the column on the left is the text of the commentarii.  The narrower, right-hand column displays notes in places where the reader's curiosity is anticipated. These notes should provide more than enough orientation for the general reader. Although there are often links to more extensive explorations of the same subjects in the appendix, providing an even richer context and more detailed exegesis, readers shouldn't feel obligated to explore the appendix while reading the commentarii.
All of the names and terms likely to challenge modern readers are hyperlinked to glossary entries that will appear, when clicked, in a separate pop-up window in the upper left corner of the browser; where necessary these pop-up definitions also have hyperlinks to additional definitions. Hyperlinks within the pop-up windows have "back" buttons to return to the original pop-up. The original pop-up window can be closed at any time in standard windows fashion (click the "X" in the upper-right corner).
To avoid a deluge of hyperlinks, glossary terms are hyperlinked where they first appear in the commentarii, but not subsequently. To revisit the glossary, use the "Glossary" link found on the navigation bar at the end of each commentarii entry.

Reading the appendix to the commentarii

The appendix to the commentarii is essentially a succinct non-fiction book; like the commentarii it is eminently readable as a continuous narrative. Written in an accessible, informal but informed style for the non-specialist, the appendix is divided into three major parts. The first is an introduction to the concept of the historical Jesus; the second part surveys the literary sources, both canonical and non-canonical, that most likely influenced Jesus' concept of himself and his mission. The final, longest section explores in detail the evidence supporting the claim that the "false Joakenen" of Pilate's wife's commentarii is an historical Jesus startlingly different from -- and startlingly similar to --  the Jesus of the New Testament.
Much of the material in the appendix is summarized in the parallel notes to the commentarii; it is not necessary to consult the appendix to understand what's going on in the commentarii.  But the appendix provides more detailed evidence from primary sources, ties up the loose ends, and presents the historical and theological big picture.  For many readers it will be enough to peruse the appendix after reading the commentarii; even readers who delve extensively into the appendix en route are likely to benefit from reading the appendix in its entirety after finishing the commentarii.
For additional information on the contents of the appendix and how to explore them, see the Introduction to the Appendix.
For readers well-versed in the historical Jesus, the Introduction to the Appendix offers a list of the revelations in the commentarii most likely to interest them; links to the appropriate chapters of the appendix allow direct access to the evidence. (Not recommended for those who have yet to read the commentarii.)
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