Archelaus’ Rise to Power

The death of Herod the Great precipitated a political crisis. He initially designated his youngest son, Antipas, as his principal heir, but for unknown reasons he transferred the right of inheritance to his son Archelaus four days before his death. While Archelaus stood to inherit the greater portion of his father’s kingdom, he was forced to vie with his brothers Antipas and Philip for the right to rule Judaea as client king under the imperial authority of the Roman emperor Augustus. Archelaus’ reign, by virtue of its instability, lack of popular support, and environment of factionalism, in many ways provides the early background to the First Jewish Revolt, as Josephus identifies an ongoing series of disturbances right from the onset of his rule.

Josephus relates that after Herod’s death, Archelaus attempts to curry favor with the Judaean population, but resistance begins brewing immediately. On Passover, as Archelaus sets out for Rome to have his title ratified by Caesar, a rebellion erupts that requires the intervention of the Syrian governor Varus.