“We even have an ancient Chinese chronicle, the Ch’ien-han-shu, which states that an object, probably a nova, or new star, was observed in March in 5 B.C. and remained visible for 70 days.”
Some people think the “wise men” were actually from China, as it took two years to follow the Silk Road to the West.
“(whereupon Augustus, who had granted Herod his puppet kingdom, remarked that since Herod observed kosher laws to placate his Jewish subjects, “It is better to be Herod’s pig than Herod’s son”).”
This is actually from a play by Macrobius (4th century), a man called “the last of the pagans”. But he ascribes Augustus’ pun to Herod’s slaying of all the children in “Syria”, as Judea would then have been geographically.
Whether he invented the saying, or Augustus actually said it,is unknown. But evidently the massacre of the innocents was known about, either from Christian or other sources.
This play certainly left an impact that continues to this day. Think of all the plays that have been performed over the course of 2000 years! It's truly amazing. How many of our contemporary plays will still be remembered 2000 years from now.