Difference between revisions of "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).

Biography

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 held the office of alabarch in Alexandria; his uncle was the philosopher Philo.

In 46 CE Emperor Claudius appointed Tiberius Julius Alexander to succeed Cuspius Fadus as the Roman Procurator of Judea. The choice of Tiberius Alexander was probably motivated by his 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. 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.

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; his was probably the most successful career ever achieved by a Jew in the administration of the Roman Empire.

Tiberius Alexander in ancient sources

Josephus, Antiquities 18.259; 19.276; 20.100-103;

                  Josephus, War 2.220-223, 309, 492-497, 616-618, 5:205, 510, 6:237-242; 
                  Tacitus, Annals 15.28; Histories 1.11; 2.74-79.
                  Suetonius, Twelve Caesars: Vespasian 6.3.

Tiberius Alexander in Scholarship

Tiberius Alexander in Fiction

Related categories

• Roman Governors (subject)

External links

• Wikipedia
• Jewish Encyclopedia (1906)