The Image of Pontius Pilate in the Writings of Latin Authors of the 1st–5th Centuries Cover Image

Образ Понтия Пилата в произведениях латинских авторов I–V вв.
The Image of Pontius Pilate in the Writings of Latin Authors of the 1st–5th Centuries

Author(s): Alexey Mihailovich Nadezhkin
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Ancient World, Other Language Literature
Published by: Петрозаводский государственный университет
Keywords: Pontius Pilate; latin patristics; the problem of guilt; early Christiа- nity; image; interpretation;

Summary/Abstract: In this article the author investigates the interpretation of the plot of Pilat’s trial in early Latin literature. The author presents new data from the historic works of St. Ambrose, St. Eusevus Ieronimus, Rufin Aquilean that remained untranslated before. The goal of the article is to investigate the attitude of early Christians towards the role of Pontius Pilatus in the trial of Christ. It aims to compare the interpretation of Pilate’s trial found in the Latin literature of the 1–5 centuries with that one in the writings of Athanasius of Alexandria and Ephraim the Syrian belonging to patristic literature. The author comes to conclusion that Pontius Pilate was not perceived by early Christians as a metaphor of the persecutor, in spite of all the persecutions executed by Romans at the dawn of Christianity. He almost was not blamed for the execution of Christ. Christians did not oppose themselves to the Roman authorities and did not accuse it of the crucifixion of Christ.

  • Issue Year: 17/2019
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 7-25
  • Page Count: 19
  • Language: Russian