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Pontius Pilate (2014)

by Paul L. Maier(Favorite Author)

4.04 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0825443563 (ISBN13: 9780825443565)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Kregel Publications

review 1: After some tedium in the first 80 pages (an over-emphasis on historical events), the author managed to bring out a highly intriguing story about the politics behind Jesus' times and crucifixion trial. In a way, it wouldn't be surprising if Pilate had to rack his brains in later years about the trial of a man who bloomed and expired in just a few years - amid a great deal of disturbance and false Messiahs all around. I enjoyed the debates between Procula and Pilate, the conversion story of Cornelius the centurion, and the light shed on Roman politics and continual intrigue. The author does a very good job of showing the decadence of the age without wallowing in it.Would be happy to re-read, as my history knowledge is somewhat patchy.
review 2: Paul L. Maier’s ... morePontius Pilate may be described as documented historical fiction. Unlike most works of this genre, the reader is able to check notes at the end of the book to see where the information came from. “Only where all evidence is lacking,” Dr. Maier states, “is ‘constructed history,’ based on probabilities, used to fill in the gaps. Even here, as much use as possible is made of authentic historical data as ballast.” Also Dr. Maier points out: “All persons named in this book are historical characters; no proper name has been invented.” The one exception is Procula, Pilate’s wife, derived from the so-called Gospel of Nicodemus, a fourth century work of dubious authenticity. Dr. Paul L. Maier, who is a Professor of Ancient History at Western Michigan University, is well suited to add authentic details regarding the customs of Romans and Jews as well as the geography of their lands. The journey by Pilate to Palestine, for example, included descriptions of the Pharos Lighthouse, Alexandria, Caesarea and Jerusalem. Surprisingly, Maier’s book does not portray Pilate as an arch villain. It’s a somewhat sympathetic account showing how pressure from both Rome and the Jewish Sanhedrin brought about his acquiescing to demands for the execution of Jesus of Nazareth who remained silent even when given the opportunity to defend himself. less

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