Reply #17: More recent data says one did occur in 1-2 BC [View All]

Rome used two census, one of everyone under Roman rule run every 15 or so years, an another every five years of Roman Citizens. With this later census most subject countries would also have done a census of their own non-roman citizens so a Census of 1-4 BC is possible. Furthermore it is now believed Herod the Great died in January 1 BC since that Lunar eclipse fits what is described as occurring at the time of his death better then the eclipse of 4 BC, which had previously been given as the date of his death: For more see the following:

http://www.denverastrosociety.org/dfiles/mickle/StarofBethlehem.pdf

The above cite relies on the following cites extensively:
http://sciastro.net/members/portia.php/2009/01/30/the-star-of-bethlehem
http://www.ankerberg.org/Articles/editors-choice/EC1205W3C.htm

Now a lot of Scholars still cling to the 4 BC date as can be seen in the following:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Census_of_Quirinius
http://www.orlutheran.com/html/census.html