A 2007 documentary by Peter Joseph, released for free online distribution. Part One, "The Greatest Story Ever Told," argues that the Jesus narrative, the virgin birth, the 25 December birth date, twelve disciples, miracles, crucifixion and resurrection, was assembled from earlier astrotheological, solar and zodiacal motifs found in Egyptian, Mesopotamian and other ancient traditions, and presents Horus, Mithras, Krishna and other figures as direct precedents. Joseph collaborated directly with D.M. Murdock (Acharya S) on a companion volume, "The ZEITGEIST Sourcebook, Part 1," defending the film's specific claims; those claims descend from Murdock's own books, which in turn restate Gerald Massey's nineteenth-century philological arguments. Against primary sources for each named figure, the specific parallel claims are rejected across the scholarly spectrum, including by historians with no religious stake in the outcome.
Facts
Assessment
Reliability Tier3
An independently produced advocacy documentary, not a peer-reviewed work, cited only to document the specific claims the film itself makes and the audience it reached, never as evidence that the claims are true. Its Part One claims about Horus, Mithras and Krishna are the very claims this pass records as debunked against primary sources. NotesCited as the modern popularizing vehicle for the Massey-to-Murdock claim chain, never as evidence for the chain itself.
Citation
AuthorPeter Joseph (director)
PublisherGMP LLC (self-released online by Peter Joseph)
Publication Year2007
Source Typedocumentary
Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
Horus, Deities This source names Horus directly: "other ancient traditions, and presents Horus, Mithras, Krishna and other figures as direct precedents."
This source names Krishna directly: "and presents Horus, Mithras, Krishna and other figures as direct precedents."
This source names Krishna directly: "and presents Horus, Mithras, Krishna and other figures as direct precedents."
This source names Mesopotamians directly: "A 2007 documentary by Peter Joseph, released for free online distribution."
This source names Mithras directly: "traditions, and presents Horus, Mithras, Krishna and other figures as direct precedents."
Popularized Derivative Of
Peter Joseph collaborated directly with D.M. Murdock on The ZEITGEIST Sourcebook, Part 1, defending the film's Part One claims; the Horus, Mithras and Krishna parallels in the film descend from Murdock's own books rather than from independent research by the filmmaker.
Same Figure, Narrative Entry
The same 2007 Peter Joseph film, held in the citation register (source, for quoting what the film itself claims) and, here, in the subject register (screenwork, the film treated as an encyclopedia subject in its own right).
Claims Backed By This Source (25 claims)
This source backs 25 claims across the atlas. As facts: 13 well-attested. As cited relationships: 8 holds, 3 critiqued Here. Plus 1 entities citing it as a general reference with no single fact or relationship attached.
Disposition By Topic
- Sources, 13 claims: 7 well-attested, 6 holds.
- Screen Works, 11 claims: 5 well-attested, 2 holds, 3 critiqued Here, 1 general references.
- Articles, 1 claims: 1 well-attested.
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