Tacitus was a Roman Senator and Historian (c. 56–120 CE) who in his Annals (c. 116 CE) provided the earliest pagan historical reference to Christ and his execution under Pontius Pilate, writing as a non-Christian observer. This brief mention represents hostile attestation from a credible ancient historian with no interest in supporting Christian theology, though it describes 'Christus' and his followers rather than providing direct biographical details about Jesus.
Annals (c. 116 CE)