Theophilus ben Ananus
- ANCIENT SOURCES: see Theophilus ben Ananus (sources)
- LIST OF SCHOLARLY AND FICTIONAL WORKS: see Category:Theophilus ben Ananus (subject)
Theophilus ben Ananus was the Jewish High Priest from 37 to 41 CE.
Overview
Theophilus was one of the five sons of Annas to take the office of High Priest. In 37 CE, while visiting Jerusalem, the Roman governor of Syria Vitellius appointed Theophilus ben Ananus to succeed his brother Jonathan. Theophilus remained in office under the tenure of Marullus, the Roman Governor appointed by Emperor Caligula. It was removed from office when the new Emperor Claudius granted the Kingdom of Judea to Herod Agrippa.
Theophilus in ancient sources
Josephus, Jewish Antiquites
Ant XVIII 5:3 -- [[[Vitellius]]] with Herod the tetrarch and his friends, went up to Jerusalem to offer sacrifice to God, an ancient festival of the Jews being then just approaching... he made a stay there for three days, within which time he deprived Jonathan of the high priesthood, and gave it to his brother Theophilus. But when on the fourth day letters came to him, which informed him of the death of Tiberius...
Ant XIX 6:2 -- When Agrippa had entirely finished all the duties of the Divine worship, he removed Theophilus, the son of Ananus, from the high priesthood, and bestowed that honor of his on Simon the son of Boethus, whose name was also Cantheras whose daughter king Herod married...