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Referenced as a scholar 'generally quite skeptical about the Gospels as historical evidence' who is quoted saying 'the death of Jesus of Nazareth on the cross is an established fact, arguably the only established fact about him.'

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His philosophical writings are referenced extensively, including his concept of 'slave morality' and a direct quote about 'God on the cross' being 'the formula' that 'promised a transvaluation of all ancient values.'

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Tom explicitly states 'I've been reading through all his natural history' for a new book he's working on, discussing Pliny's compendium of facts about natural phenomena including animals.

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Josephus is described as 'the Jewish writer who records the war that destroys Jerusalem' and is cited multiple times for accounts of crucifixion practices during the siege of Jerusalem.

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Valerius Maximus is cited as the Roman writer who calls crucifixion 'Supplicium Servile' (the punishment of slaves).

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Referenced as containing documentary evidence about crucifixion, specifically a commentary on the book of Genesis regarding the story of the baker from Joseph's story, describing how 'birds will eat the flesh from your head.'

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Mentioned as mandating crucifixion as a punishment 'for those who are rebels against God and his prophet,' explaining why the Islamic State reintroduced crucifixion.