David Bailey
Member
The thing about other historical figures - Julius Caesar for example, is that they rose to the top in their time, and there is a lot of impartial material (i.e. stuff that isn't laden with religious significance) that historians can use to piece together their lives. Maybe it is better to compare Jesus with someone like Robin Hood (I hope he is known on your side of the pond). If he lived as described, he was an anti-establishment figure who famously robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. He may have been a real person, or just a legend. It is probably impossible to disentangle the truth now because he did not achieve high office.It actually was written not too long after his death compared to most ancient writings. We can't be positive about the facts of his life but sometimes the standard of proof for his existence is treated differently than other historical figures. Most historians have come to conclude that his existence is pretty much a fact. It's extremely more likely than not.
David