Category:Annas (subject)
Annas (Ananus ben Seth; 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 succeeded Joazar ben Boethus; the goal of the Romans was to counterbalance the powerful House of Boethus, which was closely associated with the Herodians, by supporting another and more loyal priestly family. Annas proved to be the right choice. He 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, Annas was deposed by the Roman Governor Gratus, who had been just sent by the new Emperor Tiberius. However, the House of Annas, and Annas himself, remained a highly influential religious and political presence as five of Annas' sons, as well as his son-in-law Caiaphas and his grandson Mattathias ben Theophilus, 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. Under Roman (and Herodian) rule and even during the first years of the Jewish War, the House of Annas and the House of Boethus would remain the two leading powers in the Jerusalem Temple, until the Zealots took control of the sanctuary.
Annas in ancient sources
- Annas (sources) -- survey of ancient sources
Annas in literature & the arts
- Annas (arts) -- survey of fictional works
Annas in scholarship
- Annas (research) -- survey of scholarly works
Related categories
References
- Annas / Bruce Chilton / In: The Anchor Bible Dictionary (1992 Freedman), dictionary, 1:257-258
External links
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