Coponius
- ANCIENT SOURCES: see Coponius (sources)
- SCHOLARLY AND FICTIONAL WORKS: see Category:Coponius (subject)
Coponius was the first Roman governor of Judea, from 6 CE to 9 CE, under Emperor Augustus.
Overview
In 6 CE, Judea became a Roman province after the deposition of Herod Archelaus, the son of Herod the Great. Consequently, Emperor Augustus appointed a governor of knightly rank, "having the power of life and death" (Josephus, Bel II 8.1; Ant XVIII 1.1). During Coponius' tenure the revolt of Judas the Galilean occurred, apparently in opposition to the census taken by Quirinius, the governor of Syria, who also came to Judea "to take an account of their substance, and to dispose of Archelaus's money." Quirinius also appointed Annas the first High Priest nominated directly by the Romans. Josephus records another incident during the Passover festival when some Samaritans scattered human bones along the colonnade of the Jerusalem Temple. Shortly after this event Coponius was recalled to Rome, and replaced by Marcus Ambivulus (Ant XVIII 2, 2).
Coponius in ancient sources
Josephus' works are the major source of information on Coponius.