About Pontius Pilate, 5th procurator of Judea Pontius Pilatus
(Greek: Πόντιος Πιλᾶτος, Pontios Pīlātos), known in the English-
speaking world as Pontius Pilate (ˈpɒntʃəs ˈpaɪlət), was the
fifth Prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, from AD 26–36. He
is best known as the judge at Jesus' trial and the man who
authorized the crucifixion of Jesus. As prefect, he served under
Emperor Tiberius. The sources for Pilate's life are the four
canonical gospels, Philo of Alexandria, Josephus, a brief
mention by Tacitus, and an inscription known as the Pilate
Stone, which confirms his historicity and establishes his title
as prefect. Based on these sources, it appears that Pilate was
an equestrian of the Pontii family, and succeeded Valerius
Gratus as prefect of Judaea in AD 26. Once in his post he
offended the religious sensibilities of his subjects, leading to
harsh criticism from Philo and Josephus. According to Josephus,
he was ordered back to Rome after harshly suppressing a
Samaritan uprising, arriving just after t