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Pontius Pilate

??BCE-39CE

Pontius Pilate was not known to succumb to crowd pressure. The Jewish Wars Book 2 Chapter 9 Section 3 by Josephus tells us Pilate hides soldiers in the crowd and has them attack and kill people on his command. Josephus also mentions it in Antiquities of the Jews Book 18 Chapter 3 Section 2. In Antiquities of the Jews Book 18 Chapter 4 Sections 1-2, Pilate ordered more violence upon the people and was eventually removed from his position for his actions in 36CE.

There are a collection of letters known among scholars as the Pilate cycle, purportedly written by or to Pontious Pilate. None of them are genuine.
The stories aren't entirely consistent, contain far-fetched details, and none of them are conclusively dated to the correct period in history.

  • Acts of Pilate: There are two versions. Version A claims to be written by a guard of Pilate, translating a Hebrew letter written by Nicodemus. It borrows from the gospels, thus, it wasn't written at the time of Jesus. Version B tells a story of Jesus descending into Hades (location) and seeing John the Baptist, Adam, Seth, various patriarchs, and prophets. It says Satan is misled into believing Jesus is a mere human, and wants Hades (the deity) to trap Jesus. Jesus breaks the gates of hell and releases the dead.
  • Anaphora Pilati: Purportedly written by Pilate to Emperor Tiberius. It most likely isn't genuine and originated in the 4TH-5TH century and the oldest copies are from the 6TH century. It's largely anti-Jewish and says the dead poured out from Hades (location) and Jews that spoke against Jesus were consumed by an earthquake, not leaving bodies. It also claims that all of the synagogues were destroyed except for one.
  • Letter of Herod to Pilate: It isn't considered genuine since it was likely written in the 4TH century. A Syriac document from the 5TH-6TH century is the oldest version available. Herod is awaiting judgment as various punishments are befalling his family. His daughter's head comes off as her mother grabs it while trying to save her from an unexpected flood of a river. His son is wasting away, his wife is blind, and he has worms. Herod reveals that Longinus (the Roman who stabbed Jesus) is being eternally shredded and eaten by a lion, only to reanimate every morning.
  • Letter of Pilate to Emperor Claudius: Written between the 2ND and 5TH centuries. What makes it especially questionable is that Claudius started ruling in 41CE. This after the death of Jesus and Pilate's term as prefect and death in 39CE. It takes some influence from the Gospel of Matthew. However, it says the guards witnessed the resurrection. It also claims that all of the Jews called Jesus the son of god.
  • Letter of Pilate to Herod: Written between the 3RD and 4TH centuries. A Syriac document from the 5TH-6TH is the oldest version available. It says Pilate, his wife, and Longinus all converted to Christianity.
  • Letter of Pilate to Tiberius: Probably written around the Renaissance. Nothing very special in it. Claims Pilate folded to social pressure, which aligns with the gospels, but is contrary to history.
  • Letter of Tiberius to Pilate: Unknown date of authorship, likely medieval, 11TH century at the earliest. Tiberius considers Pilate's acts as criminal and calls for the executions of several key individuals. Tiberius ends up accidentally ending Pilate with an arrow that flies through Pilate's prison cell window while he is hunting deer.