conduct of their rulers insults directed against their dignity or their
religion; they complained of the heavy taxation and pestered their
rulers with petitions. Pilate had not got on at all well with them.
Between him and them there was no sympathy. He hated their fanaticism.
In his quarrels with them, which were frequent, he had freely shed
their blood. They accused him of corruption, cruelty, robbery, and
maladministration of every description.

The residence of the governor was not in Jerusalem, in which no one
accustomed to the pleasures of Rome--its theatres, baths, games,
literature and society--could desire to live, but in the new coast city
of Caesarea, which in its splendour and luxury was a sort of small
imitation of Rome. Occasionally, however, the governor had to visit
the capital for business reasons; and usually as on this occasion, he
did so at the time of the Passover.

When there, he took up his residence in what had formerly been the
royal palace while Judaea still had a king. It had been built by Herod
the Great, who had a passion for architecture; and it was situated on
the hill to the south-west of the one on which the temple stood. It
was a splendid building,[2] rivalling the temple itself in appearance,
and so large as to be capable of containing a small army. It consisted
of two colossal wings, springing forward on either side, and a
connecting building between. In front of the latter stretched a broad
pavement; and here, in the open air, on a raised platform, was the
scene of the trial; because the Jewish authorities would not enter the
building, which to them was unclean. Pilate had to yield to their
scruples, though probably cursing them in his heart. But, indeed, it
was quite common for the Romans to hold courts of justice in the open
air. The front of the palace, all round, was supported by massive
pillars, forming broad, shady colonnades; and round the building there
extended a park, with walks, trees and ponds, where fountains cast
their sparkling jets high into the sunshine and flocks of tame doves
plumed their feathers at the water's edge.

Through the huge gateway, then, of this palatial residence, the Jewish
authorities, with their Prisoner in their midst, came pouring in the
early morning. Pilate came out to receive them and seated himself on
his chair of state, with his secretaries beside him, and behind him, no
doubt, numbers of bronzed Roman soldiers with their sto