Pilate Imports Standards to Jerusalem

Josephus

The Jewish War 2.169–177

ca. 75

Pilate was sent by Tiberius to Judaea as procurator, and in a covert operation at night he smuggled into Jerusalem under wraps those portrait plaques of the emperor which are called standards. When day came, this excited a huge commotion among the Jews. The immediate onlookers were appalled to see what amounted to a heavy-footed desecration of…

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Josephus relates that Pontius Pilate, the Roman- appointed prefect of Judaea from 26 to 36 CE, demonstrates his insensitivity to Jewish values by trying to install standards (likenesses) of the emperor in Jerusalem, which the Jews perceive as a violation of their cultural norm against images. Pilate eventually has them removed.

Later, after he raids Temple funds to build an aqueduct, Pilate forcibly quells dissent by having the Jewish objectors beaten, causing a stampede during which many are crushed in their effort to escape.

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Related Guide

The Early Roman Period in History and Memory

1st Century BCE–3rd Century CE
Ancient, weathered stone relief showing people in robes carrying a large menorah and other objects in a procession.
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Related Guide

The First Jewish Revolt

66–73

Trace the causes and battles of the First Jewish Revolt, from the siege of Jerusalem to the destruction of the Temple and the fall of Masada.

Creator Bio

Josephus

37–100

Flavius Josephus was born into a prominent Jewish priestly family and served as a general stationed in the Galilee during the First Jewish Revolt (66–73 CE). He was captured by the Romans and eventually integrated into the Flavian imperial aristocracy, who commissioned him to compose chronicles of the Jewish–Roman war and the history of the Jews. Josephus’ works, all written in Greek, include The Jewish War, Jewish Antiquities, Against Apion, and his autobiography, Life of Josephus. These writings provide important insights into the Judaisms of the Second Temple period and include one of the few surviving accounts of the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE.

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