(circa A.D. 56-120)
Tacitus (circa 56-120) wrote about the Neronian persecution, saying while they were innocent of the fire, they were haters of humanity and did not support Roman values. In Histories 5.5, he says, "Whatever their origin, these rites are maintained by their antiquity, the other customs of the Jews are base and abominable, and owe their persistence to their depravity." "The Jews conceive of one god only, and that with the mind alone" - by faith, not by statues. They were considered atheists because they had no statue in their temple. "They regard as impious those who make from perishable materials representations of gods in man's image; that supreme and eternal being is to them incapable of representation, and without end. Therefore, they set up no statues in their cities, still less in their temples; this flattery is not paid their kings, nor this honor given to the caesars." The Jews seemed like traitors.
(Hillsdale College - Ancient Christianity)