Annas

• SCHOLARLY AND FICTIONAL WORKS: see Category:Annas (subject)
• ANCIENT SOURCES: see Annas (sources)

Annas (Ananus or Ananias; 23/22 BCS - 66 AD) was the Jewish High Priest from 6 to 15 CE.

Overview

In 6 CE Annas (Ananus ben Seth) was the first high priest directly appointed by the Romans (specifically by the Roman legate Quirinius), after Herod Archelaus was removed from office and Judea was turned into a Roman province. Annas served almost ten years as High Priest, under all the governors appointed by Augustus--Coponius (6-9 CE), Marcus Ambivulus (9-12 CE), and Annus Rufus (12-15 CE). In 15 CE, he was deposed by the Roman Governor Gratus, appointed by the new Emperor Tiberius. However, Annas remained a highly influential religious and political figure as five of his sons, as well as his son-in-law Caiaphas and his grandson Matthias, held the office of High Priest. In the Gospel of John, Annas figures prominently in the Passion story of Jesus of Nazareth, as a sort of éminence grise controlling de facto the Jewish priesthood in the first century CE.

Annas in ancient sources

Josephus is the major source of information on Annas, who is mentioned also in Christian sources.

Related categories

• High Priests (subject)
• Caiaphas (subject)
• Jesus of Nazareth (subject)

References

• Annas / Bruce Chilton / In: The Anchor Bible Dictionary (1992 Freedman), dictionary, 1:257-258

External links

• Wikipedia