Antipas Contests Archelaus’ Rule

In Rome, Antipas appealed to Caesar, arguing that he should be king on the basis of Herod’s original will. In Josephus’ account, Antipas is supported by a group of Archaeleus’ enemies, including family members who accompanied Archelaus to Rome and turned against him. While they prefer direct Roman control under no king at all, the political representatives of the fractured Jewish state are willing to settle for Antipas as ruler. Antipater, son of Herod’s sister Salome, makes the case that Archelaus is a tyrant who has undermined Roman authority by assuming the role of king before Caesar confirms the title. Archelaus is defended by Herod’s associate Nicolaus, who argues that Herod’s final wishes should be respected. To what degree Josephus’ narrative reflects an authentic cast of characters and political demands, however, remains uncertain.

As executor of Herod’s will and final arbiter, Caesar ultimately favored Archelaus to rule Judaea but named him ethnarch, not king. The remainder of Herod the Great’s former kingdom was divided into two tetrarchies ruled by Antipas and Philip.