Wednesday, 20 September 2017

The Four Kings of the Herodians

The Herodians were a family dynasty of rulers of Palestine and nearby areas in the Middle East. They ruled (r.) from the first century B.C. through the first century A.D. 



Herod I (the Great) (73–4 B.C.) (r. 37–4 B.C.), king of Judea, came to power through Roman influence, notably that of Mark Antony. He remained unswervingly loyal to Rome. Obsessively concerned with his personal security, he murdered those who seemed to threaten his position or of whom he was jealous, among them one of his wives and two of his own sons. An absolute ruler, he destroyed the power of the Sanhedrin (the supreme council and tribunal of the Jews). He favored Greek culture and carried out extensive building projects, notably in Jerusalem, where he rebuilt King Solomon's legendary temple. 

Herod Antipas (21 B.C.–A.D. 39) (r. 4 B.C.–A.D. 39) was a son of Herod the Great. He ruled over Galilee and a portion of Transjordan. He married his brother's wife. This was forbidden by scripture and was denounced by John the Baptist, whom Herod had put to death. When the prophet Jesus Christ came to trial in Herod's jurisdiction, Herod refused to pass judgment on him. He returned Jesus to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, for sentencing. Herod was later exiled amid rumors that he was preparing for war against Rome with the help of the Parthians. 

Herod Agrippa I (10? B.C.–A.D. 44) (r. A.D. 41–44) was a grandson of Herod the Great. He fell heavily in debt and was imprisoned by the Roman emperor Tiberius. He was later freed by the emperor Caligula, who appointed him administrator of Batanea and Galilee in A.D. 37 and king of Judea in A.D. 41. A leading king in the east, he influenced the selection of Claudius as emperor in A.D. 41. Herod was closely associated with the Pharisees (members of a strict sect of Judaism). He was a scrupulous observer of Jewish laws. He died suddenly, possibly poisoned by Romans who resented his popularity. 

Herod Agrippa II (A.D. 27?–93?) (r. A.D. 50–75), son of Herod Agrippa I, was the last king of Judea. In 66 he tried to persuade the Jews not to revolt against the Romans, and he supported Rome when they did. As a reward for his loyalty, the Romans enlarged his kingdom, Khalkís (Chalcis), centered in southern Lebanon.

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