Objectives:
The research problem concerns whether Pontius Pilate (who was the governor of Judea in 26-36 CE) served as procurator (as indicated by Tacitus) or perhaps as prefect (as indicated by epigraphic sources). The aim of this work is to answer this question by selecting and analyzing sources devoted to the title of Pontius Pilate and by critically evaluating the literature devoted to this issue.

Material and methods:
The study is based on a critical analysis of the literature and sources on the subject. This gives the text a dogmatic and historical character. The study uses: (1) the historical method to reconstruct the political and administrative context of the Roman provinces in the early empire; (2) the source method to analyze the texts of ancient authors and epigraphic and archaeological sources; (3) the comparative method for comparing the political system of Judea with other imperial provinces; (4) the hermeneutic method, which allowed for the interpretation of official terms in their Greek-Latin context.

Results:
The research conducted allowed for the collection and analysis of all literary and epigraphic sources in which Pontius Pilate was mentioned, as well as a review of the most important literature on the subject of Pontius Pilate's title.

Conclusions:
Pontius Pilate, as the incumbent governor of Judea in 26-36 CE, served as prefect with additional prosecutorial powers. In other words, he was a prefect-prosecutor. This is supported by the most important evidence – epigraphic and source descriptions of the powers he exercised in the province he administered. Additional fiscal powers and knowledge of the administrative practices of the empire also support the thesis of Pilate's additional prosecutorial powers.