Rulers & Officials

Augustus

Founder of the Roman Empire who decreed the census mentioned in the Gospel of Luke

The first Roman Emperor, whose census decree brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus Christ.

Tiberius

Second Roman emperor whose fifteenth regnal year marks the beginning of Christ's ministry

Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus was the second Roman Emperor, whose reign spanned the public ministry and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Claudius

Roman emperor who expelled the Jews from Rome and reigned during the early church’s growth

Claudius was the fourth Roman Emperor, reigning from 41 to 54 AD, whose administrative decrees significantly impacted the early Christian missions and the Jewish diaspora.

Nero

Architect of the first imperial persecution of Christians and the figure associated with the number 666

Nero was the fifth Roman Emperor, whose reign is marked by the first state-sponsored persecution of Christians and the backdrop for the final ministries of Paul and Peter.

Ahasuerus

King of Persia who married Esther and authorized the defense of the Jews against Haman's plot

The powerful Persian king of the post-exilic period who deposed Queen Vashti and eventually chose Esther to be his queen, unknowingly saving the Jewish people from genocide.

Belshazzar

Emperor living at the time of Exile and Return

Cyrus

Persian king who issued the decree allowing the Jews to return from exile and rebuild the Temple

The Persian king who ended the Babylonian exile by decreeing the reconstruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and returning its sacred vessels to the Jewish people.

Darius

Ruler living at the time of Exile and Return

Darius

Emperor Darius I, 'the Great', living at the time of Exile and Return

Darius

Emperor living at the time of Exile and Return

Gedaliah, Governor of Judah

Governor of Judah appointed by Babylon who was assassinated at Mizpah

A high-ranking Judean official appointed by King Nebuchadnezzar to serve as governor over the remnant of Judah following the fall of Jerusalem.

Nebuchadnezzar

King of Babylon who conquered Jerusalem and was humbled by God

The powerful king of Babylon who destroyed Jerusalem, deported the Judeans, and eventually acknowledged the sovereignty of the God of Israel.

Nergal-sar-ezer

Babylonian official living at the time of Divided Monarchy

Nergal-sar-ezer

Babylonian official of Samgar living at the time of Divided Monarchy

Pilate

Roman governor who presided over the trial of Jesus and ordered His crucifixion

The Roman governor of Judea during the reign of Tiberius Caesar who presided over the trial of Jesus Christ and ordered His crucifixion.

Sennacherib

Emperor living at the time of Divided Monarchy

Zerubbabel, Governor of Judah

Governor who led the return from Babylon and rebuilt the Temple foundation

A Davidic prince and governor who led the first wave of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem and laid the foundation for the Second Temple.