Can Anyone Find Another Example of Regnal Years Being Expressed in the Manner of Luke?

In Luke 3:1, we encounter a unique expression of a regnal year: "πεντεκαιδεκάτῳ τῆς ἡγεμονίας Τιβερίου Καίσαρος" (in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar). This phrasing stands out, and the search for similar formulations in ancient texts has sparked intriguing discussions among scholars.

The Unique Formula in Luke

The phrase "πεντεκαιδεκάτῳ τῆς ἡγεμονίας" is noteworthy. The use of "τῆς ἡγεμονίας" (of the rule) without explicitly mentioning the word "year" is relatively uncommon. This leads us to question whether similar expressions can be found in other ancient Greek texts.

Lack of Direct Parallels

An exploration of ancient sources reveals a scarcity of direct parallels to this formulation. No examples of "τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτῳ τῆς ἡγεμονίας" (in the fourteenth year of the reign) or "τρισκαιδεκάτῳ τῆς ἡγεμονίας" (in the thirteenth year of the reign) have been identified. Similarly, other ordinal numbers combined with "τῆς ἡγεμονίας" and the mention of an emperor are not prevalent.

Example from Dio Cassius

One relevant example comes from Dio Cassius, a Roman historian, who uses a somewhat similar structure:

Ὁ δὲ Σεουῆρος ἐπὶ τῆς δεκετηρίδος τῆς ἀρχῆς, αὐτοῦ ἐδωρήσατο τῷ τε ὁμίλῳ παντὶ τῷ σιτοδοτουμένῳ καὶ τοῖς στρατιώταις τοῖς δορυφόροις ἰσαρίθμους τοῖς τῆς ἡγεμονίας ἔτεσι χρυσοῦς.

Translation: "On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of his coming to power Severus presented to the entire populace that received the grain dole and to the soldiers of the praetorian guard gold pieces equal in number to the years of his reign."

This example from Dio Cassius uses "τῆς ἡγεμονίας" but includes "ἔτεσι" (years), which Luke's formulation omits.

Josephus' Jewish War

In Josephus' "Jewish War," a different approach to expressing regnal years is evident:

"Δωδεκατῳ μεν ετει τῆς Νέρωνος ἡγεμονίας."

Translation: "In the twelfth year of Nero's reign."

Josephus uses "ἔτει" (year), a more explicit and traditional way to denote the regnal year.

The Formula in Luke's Gospel

The uniqueness of Luke's expression highlights the specificity of the text. The absence of similar formulations in other texts suggests a deliberate choice by the author of Luke. This phrasing may reflect the author's intention to align the gospel with a particular style or to convey a theological or historical message.

Conclusion

The expression "πεντεκαιδεκάτῳ τῆς ἡγεμονίας Τιβερίου Καίσαρος" in Luke 3:1 stands out in its uniqueness. While similar structures exist, such as in Dio Cassius' writings, they often include explicit references to "years," which Luke's text omits. The lack of direct parallels in other ancient texts underscores the distinctiveness of Luke's formulation, inviting further exploration of its implications and purposes in the gospel narrative.