Hello, my brother. You are already getting tired of those "political themes of the first century." But I want to deliver an
exhibition on reining condition in the Roman Empire during Jesus' public life.
Today we will speak of Pilate.
I believe that the easiest way of writing this message will be, when you write down what you know about Pilate, since
you have studied this character, and I will add my comments. Is this OK with you?
H.R.: It’s OK.
Well, Pontius Pilate was the prefect of Judea, when Jesus was condemned to death. The "Pontii" were a Samnitan clan, that is to say,
they came from a region southeast of Rome, integrated very early into the Roman state. The Samnitans were Roman citizens. But the
Pontii were even more, they were members of the equestrian rank, that is to say, noblemen from low nobility,
knights.
Here a slight correction. Not all Pontii were knights, that is to say, there were families in this clan that even occupied
senatorial honors, which they had achieved through their excellent services in the army, ascending in the social scale of
nobility. But you are right, Pilate's family had not reached these "superior honors."
H.R.: As to the province of Judea, it was formally a third category imperial province. There were few provinces of this kind, that is,
those of little importance. Often they were territories, where the native population caused problems. The governors of these provinces
came from the lines of the knights, and they only commanded auxiliary troops, not regular Roman legionaries. In the case of Judea,
there were stationed five infantry cohorts and one cavalry regiment. A cohort was stationed permanently in Antonia Fortress in
Jerusalem.
That is only partially correct. Reading the Bible, you should know that Cornelius was a centurion of the Cohors II Italica
Civium Romanorum, of the second Italian cohort of Roman citizens, also known as the "Italian Band." It consisted,
consequently, of regular troops, stationed in Judea, at Caesarea. Later we will also speak of this character, but for the
time being, you will see that Judea constituted an exception: there were regular, well trained troops, under Pilate's direct
command, courtesy of Sejanus, who did not spare any effort for assuring that Pilate could maintain absolute control of
the situation in the province, what was vital for him. We will also see, how Pilate's troops took their insignia to
Jerusalem, causing people's rage. They were regular troops.
H.R.: The province was technically independent, but in reality it was under the supervision of the administration of the powerful
neighboring province, Syria. The governor of Syria, a man of consular rank, that is to say, from high nobility, commanded 3 legions,
and after the year 18, up to 4 legions. In the event of crisis, the prefect of Judea could call on him for
help.
This is correct. And it would happen so in the future. I want to add that the administrator of Judea had the title prefect,
not procurator. Prefect was a military title, expressing so a practically military administration, due to the reining tension
in the territory. But, what more can you tell me of Pilate?
H.R.: Almost nothing is known about him. Historians suppose that he enjoyed an education characteristic for the high strata of
society, and that he had some military experience.]
This is correct. He participated in several wars, also in the Pannonian campaign at Sejanus’ side, who was his friend.
H.R.: Usually, the position of provincial administrator was much desired by the Romans, because it meant revenues, huge revenues,
depending on the kind of province. Syria and Egypt surely figured among the most solicited. Evil tongues said that an administrator
used to occupy his position during three years: Stealing and deviating as much as he could during one year, in order to recover all the
money he had spent in bribes to obtain the position. They had to pay back the money to their "friends and relatives" who had lent it
to them, at a "good interest", of course. Then they stole during one year, in order to bribe the judges later on in all the trials for the
cruelties and robberies committed during their administration. And during the third year, they stole in order to dispose of sufficient
funds for retiring from the public life, and to enjoy some luxury.]
So it was. It is true. Pilate was not an exception. He deviated money for Sejanus’ arks, but he retained enough in his
sticky hands for his own purposes.
H.R.: There were two very important factors that characterized Pilate's administration: First, the position of the governor of Syria
was vacant during Pilate's first six years. Tiberius had named a legate for this county, but he kept him back in Rome. This meant
that Pilate could not count on quick help from Syria in case of problems. He had to act with much
caution.
This is wrong. Of course, the position of the governor of Syria was vacant, but not so the military commander. Pilate
could obtain quick help from Syria in case of emergency. Secondly, he had, apart from his auxiliary troops, his own
regular troops that Sejanus had provided him. So, his situation was quite safe.
H.R.: The other characteristic feature of Pilate's administration was that he never changed the Jewish high priest. His predecessor,
Valerius Gratus, had changed them four times, but Pilate did not.
Yes, that is important. Gratus’ last choice, Yosef Cayafa, called Caiaphas in the Bible, the same one, who condemned
Jesus, would continue as the high priest during Pilate's period. That means that both had come to a “financial”
agreement benefiting both.
This message is already very long; I desire to continue with it tomorrow. I will talk about Pilate's activity in Judea. Then,
I promise you, we will come back to the story of Jesus' life.
Have a nice day, full with blessings,
Judas