(), was born at Alexandria, of
Jewish parents. His father held the office of Alabarch in Alexandria, and his uncle was Philo,
the well-known writer. Alexander, however, did not continue in the faith of his ancestors, and
was rewarded for his apostacy by various public appointments. In the reign of Claudius he
succeeded Fadius as procurator of Judaea, about A. D. 46, and was
promoted to the equestrian order. He was subsequently appointed by Nero procurator of Egypt;
and by his orders 50,000 Jews were slain on one occasion at Alexandria in a tumult in the
city. It was apparently during his government in Egypt that he accompaied Corbulo in his
expedition into Armenia, A. D. 64; and he was in this campaign given
as one of the hostages to secure the safety of Tiridates, when the latter visited the Roman
camp. Alexander was the first Roman governor who declared in favour of Vespasian; and the day
on which he administered the oath to the legions in the name of Vespasian, the Kalends of
July, A. D. 69, is regarded as the beginning of that emperor's reign.
Alexander afterwards accompanied Titus in the war against Judaea, and was present at the
taking of Jerusalem. (J. AJ 20.4.2; Bell.
Jud. 2.11.6, 15.1, 18.7, 8, 4.10.6, 6.4.3; Tac. Ann.
15.28, Hist. 1.11, 2.74, 79; Suet. Vesp.
6.)