Coponius

Coponius was the first Roman governor (prefect^[1]) of Judaea province (from 6 CE to 9 CE).

Coin of Coponius

Biography

Map of the province of Judaea during Coponius' governorship

He was, like the prefects who succeeded him, an eques, and "had the power of life and death".^[2][3] During his administration the revolt of Judas the Galilean occurred,^[2] the cause of which was not so much the personality of Coponius as the introduction of Roman soldiers. Owing to the reconstruction of the province of Judea then in progress, the census was being taken by Quirinius, Roman legate of Syria, which was a further cause of offence.

In 9, Coponius was recalled to Rome, and replaced by Marcus Ambivulus.^[4]

See also

• Roman Procurator coinage
• Coponia gens