Who else clamed supernatual powers during the time of Jesus?

Question

The Roman Emporers, starting with Augustus Ceasar, were divinized after their death. Apollonius of Tyana was reported as doing the same things Jesus did. And, of course, Jesus.

But who else was there that was allegedly a magician, Messiah, Son of God, God, etc.?

I would like some specific names, if possible.

Answer 1

It was a convention in the ancient world to consider rulers of nations as being "divine." This had nothing to do with miracle working. During the time of Christ, many people were out and about who practiced "magic" in that they preformed seemingly miraculous healings or other feats. They were sometimes called magoi or magi. Indeed, the Biblical Jesus fits the profile of a mage in many respects. Although the idea threatens folks, the Bible should not be thought of as an historical document and shouldn't be interpreted out of its historical and cultural contexts. Much of it is metaphorical and legendary and the narrative is a legendary setting through which certain valuable spiritual ideas are communicated. Many persons were thought of as "messianic" around the turn of the 1st millennium CE. Rather than those persons being "not all that" and falling into obscurity, it is more likely that a number of real-like messianic characters were legendarily merged into the persona of the biblical Christ. At least this is what historical and archeological evidence suggests.

Answer 2

Ceasar was more popular than George Washington.
The Old Testament tells of the coming of Jesus, and the New Testament tells of life during and after Jesus.
In the Old Testament there were certain prophets who had unexplained powers from God when He was trying to make a point.
In the New Testament, the Apostles had powers of healing, etc. which was meant for teaching and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Answer 3

No. The Roman Emperors were considered 'living gods'. But they did NOT do miracles. There were a few people around that did, though. The Bible mentions Simon the Magician for one, but there was also some guy who claimed to be another messiah. Guess he wasn't quite as effective, seeing as how his name isn't all that well remembered today.

Answer 4

Simon the conjurer

And when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain conjurer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-jesus; --(a conjurer, sure was a lot of them back then)
(Act 13:6)

But Elymas the conjurer (for so his name is, if translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. (Act 13:8)