What is "pontius"

Pontius is a family name found within the gens, or people, of the Samnites, a grouping of ancient Italic tribes that lived in south-central Italy. The Samnites later became Romans.

People named "Pontius" include:

• The Greek name for Pontic Greeks
• Lucius Pontius Aquila, one of Julius Caesar's assassins
• Gaius Pontius, Samnite commander and victor at the Battle of the Caudine Forks, believed ancestor of Pontius Pilate
• Pontius Telesinus, Roman commander loyal to the Populares during Sulla's second civil war
• Pontius Aquilia, a tribune who lived at the time of Julius Caesar
• Pontius Fregellanus (d. March 37), a man of senatorial rank involved in an adultery scandal under Emperor Tiberius
• Gaius Petronius Pontius Nigrinus (d. March 37), consul at the time the Emperor Tiberius
• Pontius Pilate (Latin: Pontius Pilatus), Roman governor of Judea in Biblical times
• Pontius of Carthage, deacon in Carthage and early Christian writer
• Pontius, saint and Bishop of Barbastro
• Paulus Pontius, artist
• Chris Pontius, actor in Jackass television series
• Chris Pontius (soccer), American soccer player for D.C. United
• Mark Pontius, a member of the American indie rock band Foster the People.