Category:Tiberius Alexander (subject)
Tiberius Julius Alexander was the Roman governor of Judea (46-48, under Emperor Claudius) and then, during the Jewish War, Prefect of Egypt (66-69, under Nero) and second-in-command of the Roman army that besieged and captured Jerusalem (69-70, under Vespasian).
Overview
Tiberius Julius Alexander was born into a wealthy Jewish family, who lived in Alexandria for generations and had been granted the privilege of Roman citizenship. His father, Alexander the Alabarch held the office of alabarch, or tax collector in Egypt; his uncle was the philosopher Philo of Alexandria.
In 35 CE Herod Agrippa I had received a generous loan from Alexander the Alabarch, which had supported his political career. After becoming king of Judea in 41 CE, Agrippa was ready to repay his debt. He gave his daughter Berenice as wife to "Marcus (Julius Alexander), the brother of Tiberius Alexander. The marriage was intended to consolidate the ties between the two powerful families. They remained close even after the death of Marcus in 44 CE.
In 46 CE Emperor Claudius appointed Tiberius Julius Alexander to succeed Cuspius Fadus as the Roman Procurator of Judea. The appointment was a reward by Claudius to an influential family who had supported him, but the destination was probably also motivated by Tiberius' Jewish background. The tenure of Alexander's predecessor had been marked by unrest; it was in the Roman interest to be represented in Jerusalem by somebody who was more knowledgeable about, and more sensitive toward, Jewish religious customs. Tiberius Alexander proved to be an effective governor; he eased the relationship between Romans and Jews while crushing the movements of rebellion. He condemned the two sons of Judas the Galilean to crucifixion. Ananias ben Nebedeus served as High Priest during Tiberius Alexander's tenure. In 48 CE Ventidius Cumanus replaced Tiberius Alexander.
Tiberius Alexander continued his successful career in the Roman administration. Under Nero, he served as a staff officer in the military campaigns in Parthia and Armenia, and in 66 CE was appointed Prefect of Egypt, a prestigious yet delicate and crucial position in the aftermath of the beginning of the Jewish War. Immediately Herod Agrippa II went to Egypt to congratulate him on his prestigious appointment and consolidate their personal relationship. Once again, Tiberius Alexander showed that he knew how to use the carrot and the stick, violently suppressing any Jewish riots and ruling with justice and moderation.
In 69 CE he played a key role in supporting Vespasian's ascension to the throne, also thanks to the mediation of Berenice, who had been the first wife of his deceased brother, Marcus Julius Alexander.
Vespasian rewarded Tiberius Alexander by sending him to Jerusalem as first adviser of Titus, and second-in-command of the Roman army besieging the city.
Thanks to his services to the Flavian dynasty Tiberius Alexander secured his position at Rome. Titus promoted him to the position of praetorian prefect, the pinnacle of the equestrian career. It was probably the most successful career ever achieved by a Jew in the administration of the Roman Empire.
Tiberius Alexander in ancient sources
Josephus
Jewish War
War 2.220 (2.11.6) - After Fadus, Claudius sent Tiberius Alexander [to be procurator], who, making no alterations of the ancient laws, kept the nation in tranquillity.
War 2.223 - [Cumanus] succeeded [Tiberius] Alexander [in the office of procurator of Judea]
War 2.309 (2.15.1) - About this very time king [Herod] Agrippa [II] was going to Alexandria, to congratulate [Tiberius] Alexander upon his having obtained the government of Egypt from Nero.
War 2.492-497 (2.18.7-8) - [When the Jews in Alexandria wanted to rebel] Tiberius Alexander, the governor of the city, restrained their passions. He did not begin to teach them wisdom by arms, but sent among them privately some of the principal men, and thereby entreated them to be quiet, and not provoke the Roman army against them; but the seditious made a jest of the entreaties of Tiberius, and reproached him for so doing. Now when he perceived that those who were for innovations would not be pacified till some great calamity should overtake them, he sent out upon them those two Roman legions that were in the city, and together with them five thousand other soldiers, who, by chance, were come together out of Libya, to the ruin of the Jews. They were also permitted not only to kill them, but to plunder them of what they had, and to set fire to their houses. These soldiers rushed violently into that part of the city that was called Delta, where the Jewish people lived together, and did as they were bidden, though not without bloodshed on their own side also; for the Jews got together, and set those that were the best armed among them in the forefront, and made a resistance for a great while; but when once they gave back, they were destroyed unmercifully; and this their destruction was complete, some being caught in the open field, and others forced into their houses, which houses were first plundered of what was in them, and then set on fire by the Romans; wherein no mercy was shown to the infants, and no regard had to the aged; but they went on in the slaughter of persons of every age, till all the place was overflowed with blood, and fifty thousand of them lay dead upon heaps; nor had the remainder been preserved, had they not be-taken themselves to supplication. So Alexander commiserated their condition, and gave orders to the Romans to retire; accordingly, these being accustomed to obey orders, left off killing at the first intimation; but the populace of Alexandria bare so very great hatred to the Jews, that it was difficult to recall them, and it was a hard thing to make them leave their dead bodies.
War 4.616-618 - Justly, therefore, did Vespasian desire to obtain that government, in order to corroborate his attempts upon the whole empire; so he immediately sent to Tiberius Alexander, who was then governor of Egypt and of Alexandria, and informed him what the army had put upon him, and how he, being forced to accept of the burden of the government, was desirous to have him for his confederate and supporter. Now as soon as ever Alexander had read this letter, he readily obliged the legions and the multitude to take the oath of fidelity to Vespasian, both which willingly complied with him, as already acquainted with the courage of the man, from that his conduct in their neighborhood. Accordingly Vespasian, looking upon himself as already intrusted with the government, got all things ready for his journey [to Rome].
War 5.205 - [With Titus] came Tiberius Alexander, who was a friend of his, most valuable, both for his good-will to him, and for his prudence. He had formerly been governor of Alexandria, but was now thought worthy to be general of the army [under Titus]. The reason of this was, that he had been the first who encouraged Vespasian very lately to accept this his new dominion, and joined himself to him with great fidelity, when things were uncertain, and fortune had not yet declared for him. He also followed Titus as a counselor, very useful to him in this war, both by his age and skill in such affairs.
War 5.510 - When Titus had therefore encompassed the city with this wall, and put garrisons into proper places, be went round the wall, at the first watch of the night, and observed how the guard was kept; the second watch he allotted to Alexander; the commanders of legions took the third watch. They also cast lots among themselves who should be upon the watch in the night time, and who should go all night long round the spaces that were interposed between the garrisons.
War 6.237-242 - [Titus] himself gathered the commanders together. Of those there were assembled the six principal persons: Tiberius Alexander, the commander [under the general] of the whole army; with Sextus Cerealis, the commander of the fifth legion; and Larcius Lepidus, the commander of the tenth legion; and Titus Frigius, the commander of the fifteenth legion: there was also with them Eternius, the leader of the two legions that came from Alexandria; and Marcus Antonius Julianus, procurator of Judea: after these came together all the rest of the procurators and tribunes... [Titus ordered not to destroy the Temple]. .... So Fronto, and Alexander, and Cerealis grew bold upon that declaration, and agreed to the opinion of Titus.
Jewish Antiquities
Antiquities 18.259 19.276; 20.100-103;
Tacitus
Tacitus, Annals 15.28; Histories 1.11; 2.74-79.
Suetonius
Suetonius, Twelve Caesars: Vespasian 6.3.
Tiberius Alexander in Scholarship
Tiberius Alexander in Fiction
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