Pontius Pilate's inscription

Pontius Pilate was the fifth Roman procurator of Judaea, appointed to that office by Tiberius in AD 26. His term lasted ten years. Pilate was in residence in Jerusalem during Passover when Jesus was arrested and put on trial, and it was he who pronounced the sentence of death. 

Pontius Pilate Inscription - Caesarea
It was not long ago when many scholars were questioning the actual existence of a Roman Governor with the name Pontius Pilate. In June 1961 Italian archaeologists led by Dr. Frova were excavating an ancient Roman amphitheatre near Caesarea-on-the-Sea (Maritima) and uncovered this interesting limestone block. On the face is a monumental inscription which is part of a larger dedication to Tiberius Caesar. The inscription reads:

" Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judaea." 
The original inscription is currently housed in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, where it's Inventory number is AE 1963 no. 104. It has been dated to the year 26–37.
 
 
 

Matthew 27:11-14
And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly
 

Among scholars, this inscription caused some sensation, because it proves that Pilate's title was praefectus Judaea, and not procurator Judaea, as the Roman historian Tacitus states in his Annals 15.44. The first readable word, Tiberieum, is something of a mystery. Probably, it refers to a temple dedicated to the emperor Tiberius.
 
 
 

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