Quirinius facts for kids
Publius Sulpicius Quirinius (born around 51 BC, died AD 21) was an important Roman leader. He is also known as Cyrenius. After Herod Archelaus, a ruler in Judea, was sent away in AD 6, Quirinius became the governor of Syria. The area of Judea was added to his control. He was given the job of carrying out a census there.
Life of Quirinius
Quirinius came from a regular family near Rome. He followed the usual path for young men who wanted to succeed in Roman society.
The Roman historian Florus wrote that Quirinius defeated a group of desert raiders called the Marmaridae. This might have happened when he was governor of Crete and Cyrene around 14 BC. He was offered a special honorific name "Marmaricus" for this victory, but he turned it down. In 12 BC, he became a consul. This showed that the Roman emperor Augustus liked and trusted him.
From 12 BC to 1 BC, Quirinius led a military campaign against the Homanades. This was a tribe living in the mountains of Galatia and Cilicia. He likely served as a governor in Galatia around 5–3 BC. He won the campaign by taking over their strongholds and cutting off their food supply. Because of this victory, he was given a triumph. This was a big parade to celebrate a military win. He was also chosen as a duumvir by the Roman colony of Antioch of Pisidia.
By AD 1, Quirinius was chosen to be a teacher for Gaius Caesar, who was Augustus's grandson. He stayed in this role until Gaius Caesar died from battle wounds. When Augustus started to support his stepson Tiberius, Quirinius also became loyal to Tiberius.
After the ruler Herod Archelaus was banished in AD 6, Judea came under direct Roman control. Quirinius was then made the Legate (governor) of Syria. He was told to count the people and their property in Judea for taxes. One of his first tasks was to carry out this census.
The Jewish people already disliked their Roman rulers. Also, censuses were not allowed under Jewish law. Because of this, the census made many Jews very angry. A full revolt was stopped only because of the efforts of the high priest Joazar. However, the census did lead to a revolt led by Judas of Galilee. This also led to the formation of the Zealots group. The historian Josephus wrote about this, and the Acts of the Apostles in the Bible also mentions it.
The Gospel of Luke (in chapter 2) mentions Quirinius. It connects the birth of Jesus to the time of his census. However, this is different from the Gospel of Matthew, which says Jesus was born about ten years earlier. Matthew says Jesus was born during the rule of Herod the Great, who died in 4 BC.
Quirinius was governor of Syria and had power over Judea until AD 12. Then he went back to Rome and became a close friend of Tiberius. Nine years later, he died in AD 21. He was given a public funeral, which was a great honor.
Discoveries About Quirinius
The earliest known mention of Quirinius is from an inscription found in Antioch Pisidia in 12 BC. It is called Res Gestae Divi Augusti (meaning 'The Deeds of the Divine Augustus'). It says: "A great crowd of people came together from all over Italy to my election, ... when Publius Sulpicius (Quirinius) and Gaius Valgius were consuls."
Two other inscriptions found in Pisidian Antioch also mention Quirinius as a Duumvir. These were found when Marcus Servilius was a Roman consul in AD 3.
Coins issued by Quirinius as governor of Syria have also been found. They are dated "the 36th year of Caesar [Augustus]" (AD 5/6). These coins confirm his position as governor there.
The census he conducted in Syria has also been confirmed. An inscription bought in Beirut in 1674 and taken to Venice mentions a Roman officer who worked for Quirinius. It says that this officer "By order of the same Quirinius I took a census of the city of Apamea."
Historical Writings About Quirinius
The Roman historian Tacitus wrote about Quirinius in his book Annals (Book III). When Quirinius died in AD 21, Tacitus wrote that Tiberius Caesar "requested that the Senate pay tribute...with a public funeral." Tacitus described Quirinius as a "tireless soldier." He said Quirinius became consul during Augustus's rule because of his loyal service. Tacitus also mentioned that Quirinius was later an adviser to Caius Caesar in Armenia.
The Jewish historian Josephus wrote more details about the census of Judea. This census happened around AD 6, when Quirinius was the governor of Syria.
See also
In Spanish: Publio Sulpicio Quirinio para niños
- Sulpicia (gens)
- Census of Quirinius
- List of biblical figures identified in extra-biblical sources
