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Porcius Festus was the Roman governor of Judea, from 58 CE to 62 CE, under Emperor Nero.

Overview

In 58 CE, Porcius Festus succeeded Marcus Antonius Felix as Roman Procurator of Judea. Felix had to fight hard against the rising power of the Sicarii. He also deported to Rome Paul of Tarsus, who had been imprisoned by Felix. Festus' opposition to the erection of a wall in the Temple, which limited the view of the Temple by the Roman guards, was overcome by the authorities of the Temple, by petitioning directly to Nero. Apparently, Festus died in office in 62 CE; Nero appointed Lucceius Albinus as the new governor.

Festus in ancient sources

Josephus' works are the major source of information on Festus, who is also mentioned in the Acts of Apostles in relation with Paul of Tarsus

Josephus, Jewish Antiquities

Ant XX 8, 10 -- Upon Festus's coming into Judea, it happened that Judea was afflicted by the robbers, while all the villages were set on fire, and plundered by them. And then it was that the sicarii, as they were called, who were robbers, grew numerous... So Festus sent forces, both horsemen and footmen, to fall upon those that had been seduced by a certain impostor, who promised them deliverance and freedom from the miseries they were under, if they would but follow him as far as the wilderness. Accordingly, those forces that were sent destroyed both him that had deluded them, and those that were his followers also.

Ant XX 8, 11 -- About the same time king Agrippa built himself a very large dining-room in the royal palace at Jerusalem... there he could lie down, and eat, and thence observe what was done in the temple; which thing, when the chief men of Jerusalem saw they were very much displeased at it; for it was not agreeable to the institutions of our country or law that what was done in the temple should be viewed by others, especially what belonged to the sacrifices. They therefore erected a wall upon the uppermost building which belonged to the inner court of the temple towards the west, which wall when it was built, did not only intercept the prospect of the dining-room in the palace, but also of the western cloisters that belonged to the outer court of the temple also, where it was that the Romans kept guards for the temple at the festivals. At these doings both king Agrippa, and principally Festus the procurator, were much displeased; and Festus ordered them to pull the wall down again: but the Jews petitioned him to give them leave to send an embassage about this matter to Nero; for they said they could not endure to live if any part of the temple should be demolished; and when Festus had given them leave so to do, they sent ten of their principal men to Nero, as also Ismael the high priest, and Helcias, the keeper of the sacred treasure. And when Nero had heard what they had to say, he not only forgave[22] them what they had already done, but also gave them leave to let the wall they had built stand. This was granted them in order to gratify Poppea, Nero's wife, who was a religious woman, and had requested these favors of Nero, and who gave order to the ten ambassadors to go their way home; but retained Helcias and Ismael as hostages with herself. As soon as the king heard this news, he gave the high priesthood to Joseph, who was called Cabi, the son of Simon, formerly high priest.

Ant XX 9, 1 -- And now Caesar (i.e. Nero), upon hearing the death of Festus, sent Albinus into Judea, as procurator.

Acts of Apostles

Acts.24.27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. Acts.25.1 Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. Acts.25.4 Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. Acts.25.9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” Acts.25.12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.” Acts.25.13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. Acts.25.14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, Acts.25.22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.” Acts.25.23 So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. Acts.25.24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. Acts.26.24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” Acts.26.25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. Acts.26.32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Festus in literature & the arts

• Festus (arts) -- survey of fictional works

Related categories

• Roman Governors of Judea
• Paul of Tarsus

External links

• Wikipedia