Albinus (sources)

Survey of ancient sources on Albinus.

Overview

Josephus and Tacitus are the major sources of information on the life of Albinus.

Primary sources

Josephus' Antiquities

Ant XX 9, 1 - And now Caesar [i.e. Nero], upon hearing the death of Festus, sent Albinus into Judea, as procurator... [When] Albinus was but upon the road... [the High Priest Ananus ben Ananus assembled the sanhedrim of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus of Nazareth... whose name was James, and some others... and delivered them to be stoned... The most equitable of the citizens... disliked what was done... Some of them went also to meet Albinus, as he was upon his journey from Alexandria, and informed him that it was not lawful for Ananus to assemble a sanhedrim without his consent. Whereupon Albinus complied with what they said, and wrote in anger to Ananus], and threatened that he would bring him to punishment for what he had done; on which king Agrippa] took the high priesthood from him... and made Jesus son of Damneus high priest.

Ant XX 9, 2 -- As soon as Albinus was come to the city of Jerusalem, he used all his endeavors and care that the country might be kept in peace, and this by destroying many of the Sicarii. But as for the high priest, Ananias he increased in glory every day, and this to a great degree, and had obtained the favor and esteem of the citizens in a signal manner; for he was a great hoarder up of money: he therefore cultivated the friendship of Albinus, and of the high priest [Jesus], by making them presents...

Ant XX 9, 3 -- But now the Sicarii went into the city by night, just before the festival, which was now at hand, and took the scribe belonging to the governor of the temple, whose name was Eleazar, who was the son of Ananus [Ananias] the high priest, and bound him, and carried him away with them; after which they sent to Ananias, and said that they would send the scribe to him, if he would persuade Albinus to release ten of those prisoners which he had caught of their party; so Ananias was plainly forced to persuade Albinus, and gained his request of him. This was the beginning of greater calamities; for the robbers perpetually contrived to catch some of Ananias's servants; and when they had taken them alive, they would not let them go, till they thereby recovered some of their own Sicarii. And as they were again become no small number, they grew bold, and were a great affliction to the whole country.

Ant XX 9, 5 -- When Albinus heard that Gessius Florus was coming to succeed him, he was desirous to appear to do somewhat that might be grateful to the people of Jerusalem; so he brought out all those prisoners who seemed to him to be most plainly worthy of death, and ordered them to be put to death accordingly. But as to those who had been put into prison on some trifling occasions, he took money of them, and dismissed them; by which means the prisons were indeed emptied, but the country was filled with robbers.

Ant XX 11, 1 -- [When] Gessius Florus was sent as successor to Albinus by Nero... the Jews took Albinus to have been [comparatively] their benefactor... for Albinus concealed his wickedness, and was careful that it might not be discovered to all men...