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Antipater (1st century BCE) was the Governor of Judea on behalf of the Romans, 55-43 BCE, and the founder of the Herodian dynasty. He was the husband of Cypros and the father of Herod the Great, Phasael, and Salome I.

• This page is edited by Gabriele Boccaccini, University of Michigan.

Overview

Antipater was an Idumean general. His family had risen to military power under Alexander Jannaeus and Salome Alexandra, after the Jewish conquest of Idumea by John Hyrcanus.

Antipater was not only a skilled soldier but a shrewd politician and diplomat, with powerful connections. While serving under the Hasmoneans, he was married with the Nabatean Cypros; Phasael, Herod the Great, and Salome I were among their children.

Antipater took advantage of the conflict between John Hyrcanus II and his brother Aristobulus. He advised Hyrcanus to put himself under the protection of the Nabateans and seek the intervention of the Romans. After Pompey defeated Aristobulus and conquered Jerusalem in 63 BCE, Hyrcanus regained the High Priesthood but now Antipater was de facto and since c55, de iure in charge of affairs of state.

In the struggle between Julius Caesar and Pompey, Antipater quickly sided with Caesar. He distinguished himself in the taking of Pelusium, earned the Roman citizenship and was made procurator of Judea in 47 BCE. He appointed his sons Phasael and Herod the Great governors of Jerusalem and Galilee, respectively.

After the death of Julius Caesar Antipater actively sided with Cassius, who then controlled Syria. In 43 BCE, in the midst of the struggle between Cassius and Mark Antony, Antipater was poisoned, while feasting with John Hyrcanus II. The destiny of his family was now in the hands of his sons Phasael and Herod the Great, who were quick enough to switch allegiance to Mark Antony and retain power.

Antipater, in ancient sources

Eusebius

I 6,2-3 -- [2] As Josephus relates, (Antipater was) an Idumean... But Africanus, who was also no common writer, says that they who were more accurately informed report that... Antipater was the son of a certain Herod of Ascalon, one of the so-called servants of the temple of Apollo. [3] This Antipater, having been taken a prisoner while a boy by Idumean robbers, lived with them, because his father, being a poor man, was unable to pay a ransom for him. Growing up in their practices he was afterward befriended by Hyrcanus, the high priest of the Jews. A son of his was that Herod who lived in the times of our Saviour...

I 7, 11-12 -- The relatives of our Lord according to the flesh, whether with the desire of boasting or simply wishing to state the fact, in either case truly, have handed down the following account: Some Idumean robbers, having attacked Ascalon, a city of Palestine, carried away from a temple of Apollo which stood near the walls, in addition to other booty, Antipater, son of a certain temple slave named Herod. And since the priest was not able to pay the ransom for his son, Antipater was brought up in the customs of the Idumeans, and afterward was befriended by Hyrcanus, the high priest of the Jews. [12] And having been sent by Hyrcanus on an embassy to Pompey, and having restored to him the kingdom which had been invaded by his brother Aristobulus, he had the good fortune to be named procurator of Palestine. But Antipater having been slain by those who were envious of his great good fortune was succeeded by his son Herod, who was afterward, by a decree of the senate, made King of the Jews under Antony and Augustus. His sons were Herod and the other tetrarchs. These accounts agree also with those of the Greeks.

Related categories

• Herod the Great / Phasael

External links

• Wikipedia
• Jewish Encyclopedia (1906)