The land over which Archelaus had ruled was now reduced to a Roman province, and governed by Roman procurators, who possessed the power of life and death. This office was held successively by Coponius, Marcus Ambivius, and Valerius Gratus, till, in the year 26 a.d.,[4] the corrupt and unprincipled Pontius Pilate became procurator of Judea.
CÆSAR AUGUSTUS.
The new governor was not long in discovering how difficult was the charge he had undertaken. It was by no means easy to reconcile his anxiety to please and obey his Roman master, with his wish to conciliate the excited and turbulent people over whom he ruled.
A very great tumult was excited amongst the Jews by Pilate’s bringing secretly into the city images of [Cæsar Augustus]. This was contrary to the Jewish law, and roused the strongest indignation. Numbers of the Jews hastened to Pilate, who was then at Cesarea, and besought him earnestly to remove the hateful ensigns from Jerusalem. On the procurator’s refusal to accede to their entreaties, the Jews flung themselves down in the dust, and for five days and nights remained upon the earth in a posture of despair.
Pilate was struck by the firm attachment of these Jews to their customs and laws, and resolved to put it to a yet greater trial. He summoned the people to the market-place, and then suddenly caused them to be surrounded by a band of armed warriors. The Jews were in the utmost consternation at the unexpected sight, and yet more so when Pilate bade the soldiers draw their swords, and sternly gave the people the alternative of receiving the images with submission, or of being instantly cut to pieces.
But the devotion of the Jews rose superior to their fear. They fell down in numbers together, and stretching out their necks for the fatal blow, declared that they were ready to die rather than that their law should be transgressed.
Pilate’s opposition was overcome by the firm resolution of these brave men; and giving way to the popular feeling, he commanded that the obnoxious images should be removed from the city of Jerusalem.
CONTEMPORANEOUS EVENT.