Category:Drusilla (subject)
Drusilla (1st century CE) was a member of the Herodian dynasty. She was the daughter of Herod Agrippa and thus sister to Berenice, Mariamne, and Herod Agrippa II.
Biography
Drusilla was born in 38 CE; she was six years old when her father Herod Agrippa died. She had been betrothed to the first son of King Antiochus IV of Commagene, but the marriage never finalized. When Herod Agrippa II became tetrarch in around 49/50, he gave her in marriage to the king of Emesa but the marriage was short-lived. Drusilla met the Roman procurator Felix and married him, although uncircumcised. The couple had two children (a son and a daughter). Their son died with his wife in 79 in the eruption of Mount Vesuvio.
Drusilla in ancient sources
The works of Josephus are the major source of information about Drusilla. She is mentioned also in the Acts of Apostles.
"While Felix was procurator of Judea, he saw this Drusilla, and fell in love with her; for she did indeed exceed all other women in beauty; and he sent to her a person whose name was Simon[5] (or Atomos), a Jewish friend of his, by birth a Cypriot, who pretended to be a magician. Simon endeavored to persuade her to forsake her present husband, and marry Felix; and promised, that if she would not refuse Felix, he would make her a happy woman. Accordingly she acted unwisely and, because she longed to avoid her sister Berenice's envy (for Drusilla was very ill-treated by Berenice because of Drusilla's beauty) was prevailed upon to transgress the laws of her forefathers, and to marry Felix.[6]
Acts of Apostles - "Several days later Felix came [back into court] with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess." (Acts 24:24).
Drusilla in Scholarship
Drusilla in Fiction
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