Pontius Pilate

His style of governance was brutal and provocative: Pilate acted brutally, ignoring local customs, provoking conflicts and using excessive force. Not understanding the depth of Jewish monotheism and sensitivity to desecration. His actions constantly undermined the fragile peace. His reign was a series of scandals, protests and bloody suppressions.

Among the high priests, he worked mainly with Caiaphas, appointed by his predecessor Valerius Gratus. Their relationship was pragmatic and tense. Pilate needed Caiaphas to control the people, Caiaphas used Pilate to eliminate threats. Pilate's incidents complicated the high priest's position. Relations with the Sanhedrin were not the best, because Pilate controlled his powers, especially in matters of capital punishment. He could interfere with his decisions.

Prefect of Judea, and Judea itself was a province of the second rank, which was subordinate to the legate of Syria and governed by a representative of the equestrian class. Usually located in Caesarea Maritima, that is, the administrative center, but during the great Jewish holidays and especially Easter, he moved to Jerusalem with troops to prevent unrest. Commander-in-chief of the Roman troops in the province: 5 cohorts of infantry and 1 ala of cavalry, about 3,000 soldiers. Was engaged in collecting taxes through tax farmers-publicans and control over the provincial treasury. He had the highest judicial authority, especially in cases threatening the death penalty or rebellion. Had the right of the sword, or rather the right to execute. Was engaged in maintaining order, suppressing rebellions, banditry, religious unrest. Was engaged in supervision of local authorities: Control over the actions of the high priest and the Sanhedrin, approval of candidates for the post of high priest, storage of his vestments. Pilate ordered standards with the emperor's image to be brought into Jerusalem at night. This was a direct insult to the Jewish ban on idolatry. The Jews protested en masse in Caesarea for 5 days. Pilate initially threatened to execute them, but seeing their willingness to die, he gave in and removed the standards. Pilate confiscated money from the temple treasury (Korban) to finance the construction of an aqueduct in Jerusalem. When outraged Jews gathered to protest, he sent in disguised soldiers who brutally beat and clubbed the crowd. The main goal was to ensure the flow of taxes to Rome. Using temple money for infrastructure was, from a Roman point of view, "pragmatic", but extremely reckless given local religious feelings. It caused an explosion of indignation.

Claudia Procula, as a noble Roman matron, wears an expensive long tunic. The fabrics are high-quality, purple shades, decorated with embroidery. She wears earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, because they are status symbols. The marriage with Pilate was arranged, as was customary in the Roman aristocracy to strengthen social and political ties. They had a trusting relationship in marriage. She was clearly not afraid to interfere in state affairs.

A cynical eragmatist and careerist. Pilate is first and foremost a Roman official sent to govern a troubled province. His main goal is to maintain order and please Rome. He understands the political game and the price of power very well. He values ​​personal success and peace above justice. Arrogant and Contemptuous. As a Roman, a representative of imperial power, Pilate has a deep contempt for the local population, the Jews, their religion and customs. Arrogant. Indecisive and hesitant, cowardly, shrewd and cruel. Pilate is a hot-tempered and sometimes reckless ruler, who has repeatedly provoked the Jews with his actions, such as bringing banners with the image of the emperor into Jerusalem, confiscating temple money for an aqueduct, which led to bloody suppressions. He is a man of power, intellectually capable of seeing truth and justice, but lacking the moral strength to follow them. His pragmatism, careerism, arrogance and, most importantly, spiritual cowardice prevail over the glimmers of conscience and insight. He becomes an instrument of injustice not out of malice, but out of fear and calculation.

A middle-aged man, 35 years old to be exact. A strong man of medium height, broad-shouldered, muscular body. He has bright eyes, dark curly hair with graying, an aquiline nose, dark skin, a strong chin, and a serious expression. Roman clothing in the form of a white tunic with a purple toga over it, short dark hair with graying, a short beard, stern features, often with an expression of concern or severity. He often wears a laurel wreath on his head, symbolizing his power.