Early Judaism- A Comprehensive Overview

during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus when he appointed an Idumean

noble named Antipas asstrat 3 gosof Idumea. It is likely that Antipas’s son,

Antipater, succeeded him. Antipater quickly became the real power behind

the Hasmonean throne. He was a consummate politician who excelled at

cultivating and exploiting friendships with local rulers as well as with lead-

ing Romans. Antipater first secured the friendship of Pompey and then of

Julius Caesar when he eclipsed Pompey. In 48b.c.e., Julius Caesar found

himself besieged in Alexandria by native Egyptians. Antipater came to his

aid by enlisting the support of local rulers as well as personally leading an

army into Egypt. In recognition of his support, Caesar bestowed Roman

citizenship on Antipater and his family (J.W.1.187-94;Ant.14.127-39).

Although Antipater was now clearly the main man at court, he still

had powerful enemies, who assassinated him in 43b.c.e.(J.W.1.225-26;

Ant.14.280-84). Herod and his brother Phasael, who had been appointed

strat 3 goiof Galilee and Judea respectively (47b.c.e.), assumed the leader-

ship of their family as well their father’s position as the dominant courtiers

of the Hasmoneans. Their power and influence increased further in 42,

when Marc Antony appointed them tetrarchs (J.W.1.244;Ant.14.326).

However, in 40 the Parthians and their ally, the Hasmonean Mattathias

Antigonus, the son of Aristobulus II, invaded Judea and besieged Jerusa-

lem. While on a diplomatic mission to the Parthians, Phasael and Hyr-

canus were arrested and imprisoned. Phasael chose to commit suicide by

dashing his head against a rock. Herod, on the other hand, fled to Rome to

secure its support against the Parthians and Antigonus. With the support

and lobbying of the triumvirs Antony and Octavian, the Roman senate

proclaimed Herod King of Judea and promised him military aid in his war

against Antigonus (J.W.1.282-85;Ant.14.381-89). It took Herod three years

to defeat Antigonus and capture Jerusalem, but in the spring of 37b.c.e.he

entered Jerusalem as bothde jureandde factoKing of Judea (J.W.1.349-57;

Ant.14.476-91).

Herod, King of Judea and Client of Rome

Herod the Great was arguably the most powerful and influential Jewish

monarch in history. During his long reign (40-4b.c.e.), he amassed ex-

traordinary wealth, implemented an elaborate and comprehensive build-

ing program, and transformed Judea from a small petty kingdom into an

economic center of the eastern Mediterranean (see maps 7-8). Jerusalem,

50

chris seeman and adam kolman marshak

EERDMANS -- Early Judaism (Collins and Harlow) final text
Tuesday, October 09, 2012 12:03:51 PM