succeeded Antonius Felix as procurator of Judaea in A. D. 62, and vigorously repressed the robbers and assassins (sicarii), by whom the province was infested. It was he who bore testimony to the innocence of St. Paul, when he defended himself before him in the same year. Festus died not long after his appointment as procurator, and was succeeded by ALBINUS. (J. AJ 20.8. §§ 9-11. 9.1, Bell. Jud. 2.14.1; Acts, 24.27, xxv. xxvi.)
[E.E]A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology
Smith, William
A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890