My First Two Thousand Years tells the story of Cartaphilus, the Wandering Jew, a Jewish man and a former friend of Jesus, who joins the Roman army. He is present in Jerusalem as Jesus is carrying the cross up to Golgotha and he taunts Jesus for going meekly to his death. Jesus tells him "I shall go, but thou shalt tarry till I return!" Thus begins Cartaphilus' journey through the world as an immortal. In Viereck's story, Cartaphilus, also known as Isaac Laqudem, meets and interacts with famous people in history, and is involved in many of the world's great events. It is an epic story of legend, sex and sensuality.

My First Two Thousand Years is the first book of a trilogy, which also includes My First Two Thousand Years of Love, the story of Salome, and The Invincible Adam, the story of Cartaphilus' faithful friend and servant, Kotikokura, on their long journey.