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was referred to in his time as Prefect, a primarily military position. after 50s C.E., provinces were governed by Procurators, like Felix and Festus, who were basically fiscal administrators. **he likely had military service prior to assignment to Judaea, and his name, Pilatus, means "skilled with the spear." He was subordinate to the Legate of Syria (when there was one assigned) and he chose the High Priest (Caiaphas) and controlled the priestly vestments.