Roman Governors of Judea - coins of the New Testament.
Rome appointed governors of Judea after they punished Herod Archelaus in year 6 A.D until 66 A.D when the Jewish rebellion against Roman rule started. Read More...
The Roman Governors established their headquarters in Caesarea at King Herod's magnificent harbor city, travelling to Jerusalem on special occasions only. The Biblical feasts were one of these occasions when Roman oversight was deemed necessary to maintain law and order.
The governors of Judea were not aristocrats, but if they lived long enough were able to mint their own coins.
The New Testament mentions a few of these governors such as: Agrippa (Acts 26:1-2), Pilate (John 18:38), Felix (Acts 23:24) and Festus (Acts 24:27).
Coponius is mentioned in Josephus in Antiquities of the Jews - Book XVIII when he was sent to be procurator of Judea. "Concerning Judas of Galilee; and concerning the sects that were among the Jews."
Gratus is mentioned by Josephus Antiquities of the Jews "He was now the third emperor; and he sent Valerius Gratus to be procurator of Judea, and to succeed Annius Rufus."