There are lots of historical sources. You’re right that the written sources that survive today were written after his death but many of those written sources emanate from recollections and stories that were told by his contemporaries but not written down which was not unusual for 99% of societies 2000 years ago. I suppose no-one can say whether he did or didn’t exist unless there’s a 2062 year old man called Judas walking about but if you apply the same burden of proof to other historical figures (and many have a lot less evidence than Jesus) then lots of figures disappear.
Why did the Roman Empire not mention him? They did with every other perceived threat to their rule. And acted accordingly in a brutal fashion to put it down.
Let’s look at the supposed scenario.
The Jews had been waiting for a Messiah. Their Messiah was not a hippy love everybody, including your slavery master. Theirs was one that weilded a sword and would vanquish their enemies and deliver them from bondage.
Jesus turns up, and if we are to believe the Bible, was having gatherings of thousands of people. The loaves and the fishes, where he fed five thousand. He entered Bethlehem on a donkey to show humility with thousands of people laying palm leaves before him.
Now, where the Roman soldiers in control of Bethlehem straight out of Life if Brian? Did nobody ask, who is this ****? Thousands of people are turning out for this self proclaimed Messiah. The Messiah according to Judaism, would smite the Romans and nobody thought, maybe we should report this back to Rome. Where the Senate would decide, as they had done countless times, to sort it out.
Not one mention in any Roman document of him. A guy who could attract thousands of people fed up with Roman rule and whose own writings foretold a warrior?
They just let it go. Never bothered their arse? Really? The Roman Empire sustained through fear and power?
The reason there is no record of a threat or action to qwell that is simple. It never happened. Any leader who could attract the numbers the Bible claims Jesus attracted, would have been seen as a potential threat and dealt with accordingly.
Al the accounts of him where nearly 70 years after he was supposed to have lived, through people who weren’t there.
The Romans took any threat seriously, read up on their response to threats across their empire. But, not a peep. Not one sentence about a Jewish guy who claimed to be the Messiah and could turn out the equivelant of five legions to listen to him?
There isn’t a mention because it didn’t happen. Rome lasted centuries on the basis of control and subjugation of threat.
A guy who is supposed to be a sword wielding freedom fighter never raised an eyebrow?
If anybody believes that happened, I have five magic beans going at a competitive price.