Roman Corruption

Among the important remaining causes of the First Jewish Revolt to which Josephus points is the immense corruption of a number of the Roman procurators. According to Josephus, these men treat their appointments in Judaea as opportunities to enrich themselves. Porcius Festus served as procurator of Judaea from 60 to 62 CE and was succeeded by Lucceius Albinus, whose appointment was from 62 to 64 CE. Josephus describes how Jewish rebels bribe Albinus to let them continue to foment their rebellion. In Josephus’ telling, none is worse than the last procurator before the war, Gessius Florus, who held the appointment from 64 to 66 CE. Florus is especially brazen in his misdeeds—“utterly shameless.” In response to Jewish complaints to Florus’ superior Cestius over Florus’ corruption, Josephus explains that Florus understands that the only means for him to save face is to engineer a full-blown Jewish revolt.