Category:Herod Archelaus (subject)

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Herod Archelaus (1st century CE) was a member of the Herodian family, the son of Herod the Great and Malthace. From 4 BCE to 6 CE, he was the ethnarch of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea.

Overview

Herod Archelaus was one of the sons of Herod the Great and Malthace. He was the brother of Herod Antipas, and the half-brother of Antipater II, Alexandros, Aristobulus IV, Herod Boethus, and Herod Philip, with whom he competed for the succession to Herod the Great. Herod Archelaus survived the intrigues and the purges, and at the death of Herod the Great in 4 BCE emerged as the main successor to the throne. He was appointed ethnarch of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea.

Archelaus' first wife was Mariamne, probably the Hasmonean Mariamne III, the daughter of Aristobulus IV and Berenice I, who in the plans of Herod seems to have been destined to associate the successor of Herod (Antipater II first and then Herod Archelaus) with the House of Hasmoneus.

Archelaus did not prove himself a strong and authoritative leader. His cruelty and inability to control the situation arose great discontent. It certainly did not help his decision to divorce Mariamne to marry Princess Glaphyra of Cappadocia, the widow of his half-brother Alexandros, though her second husband was still alive.

The situation became so critical that the Romans intervened. Herod Archelaus was deposed and banished to Vienne in Gaul. His reign was turned into a Roman province, directly administrated by Roman Governors.