It really doesn't take much to be more informed than a parrot; just don't start with the conclusion and work backwards to justify it. Simple.
I'm told I am rather well read on antiquity actually. I blame Goscinny and Uderzo for getting me hooked when I was 7. Informed enough to be thoroughly unimpressed by your name drops btw. Sorry, if I was as easily impressed as you seem to be we wouldn't be having this conversation.
There is no historical evidence that jesus existed. None. Practice whatever ethos you want, but deal with it. And incidentally if you can take an honest look at Mithra, Horus, Buddha, Dionysus, Krishna and all the others that predate your jesus and not have your inner skeptic pipe up, well... I definitely stand by my previous jesus freak comment.