SPECIAL TOPIC: HEROD AGRIPPA II

Herod Agrippa II (Marcus Julius Agrippa)

1. He is the son of Herod Agrippa I (cf. Acts 12), who was the political ruler of Judea and who had control of the Temple and Priesthood (a.d. 41-44), and grandson of Herod the Great.

2. He was educated in Rome and was pro-Roman. He returned to Rome after the Jewish war of a.d. 70 and died there in a.d. 100.

3. At the age of 17 his father died, but he was too young to assume his kingdom.

4. In a.d. 50 Herod Chalcis, Agrippa II's uncle, the King of Chalcis (a small kingdom in Northern Palestine), died and Agrippa II was given his kingdom by Emperor Claudius. Also, he was given control over the Temple and the High Priesthood.

5. In a.d. 53 he exchanged this small kingdom for the tetrarches of Herod Philip (Ituraea and Trachonitis) and Lysanius (Abilene).

6. Later, Emperor Nero added certain cities and villages around the Sea of Galilee to his control. His capital was Caesarea Philippi, which he renamed Neronias.

7. For historical reference cf:

a. Josephus Jewish Wars 2.12.1,7-8; 15.1; 16.4; 7.5.1

b. Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews 19.9.2; 20.5.2; 6.5; 7.1; 8.4; 9.6.