Icon "The Three Wise Men
presenting offerings to Herod”
whereas in the Bible
gifts are presented to Jesus.
(Greece, 18th c.)
Magos Foundation Collection
THE THREE WISE MEN ARE SEEN BY THE ENEMIES OF CHRISTIANISM
For the Roman Emperor Julian (4th century), nicknamed the apostate because of his opposition to Christianity, the king of Persia sent the Three Wise Men as ambassadors to Herod and the Romans, which is why they brought gifts. Even if this contradicts biblical writings, the enemies of Christianity such as Celsus (2nd century) or Emperor Julian gave credibility, in spite of themselves, to the existence of the Magi.