Octavian Confirms Herod’s Claim to Kingship

Herod showed his loyalty to Antony for making him king by successfully fighting the Nabateans at Antony’s command. However, when Octavian defeated Antony at the Battle of Actium (31 BCE), making him the undisputed ruler of the empire, Herod pledged his loyalty to Octavian. Octavian accepted Herod’s assurances and confirmed his claim to kingship over Judaea.

In line with the great classical historians, Josephus embellishes his account of these events with original speeches, which he puts into the mouths of Herod and Octavian. Needless to say, these speeches reflect Josephus’ own perspective and are not Herod’s or Octavian’s actual words.