Pontius

Pontius is a masculine given name of Latin origin. In ancient Rome it appeared as a personal name and later occurs in historical and religious texts, most famously borne by Pontius Pilatus, the Latin form of Pontius Pilate.

Pontius Pilatus was the Roman prefect of Judaea under Emperor Tiberius in the early first century CE. According to Tacitus and Josephus, he presided over the trial of Jesus and authorized the crucifixion. The Gospel accounts attribute responsibility to him, though historical interpretation remains debated, and modern scholarship questions the extent of his accountability in the events described.

Today, Pontius is rare as a given name but does appear in historical or religious literature and, less commonly, as a surname. In onomastic studies, it is cited as an example of an ancient Latin forename that persists primarily in references to Pilate and related texts.

The figure of Pontius Pilatus has had lasting cultural and theological significance, shaping discussions of governance, judgment, and responsibility in Christian art, literature, and scholarship.