The History of Jerusalem by Alan J Potter

Author:Alan J Potter [Potter, Alan J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Ancient, General, Middle East, Israel & Palestine, Jewish, Religion, Christian Church
ISBN: 9781526783301
Google: xdMoEAAAQBAJ
Publisher: Pen and Sword History
Published: 2020-12-02T01:01:41+00:00

Chapter 18

Herod’s Legacy

Herod’s son by Doris and his three sons by Mariamne I had all predeceased him, and his only son by Mariamne II had been disinherited. Five other sons survived, as did a number of wills that Herod had composed before he died in 4 BCE. There were three principal claimants to the substantial territories ruled by Herod and these were Malthace’s sons, Archelaus and Antipas,1 and Cleopatra’s son Philip. Cleopatra’s other son, Herod IV,2 seems not to have been involved in the family power struggle and Pallas’ son, Phasael III, was only about 11 years old at the time (see figure 19). Herod’s royal title existed only by Roman appointment and sufferance and was not hereditary. Accordingly, the appointment of any successor named in the king of Judea’s will needed the sanction of the Roman emperor Augustus, who also had the authority to refuse or vary the terms of the bequests and even the status of any territories involved.3

Archelaus expected to be confirmed as the new king and was eager to leave for Rome to receive his official sanction. Seven days mourning were observed, followed by an address to Jerusalem’s populace during which Archelaus agreed to various demands including a reduction in taxes. He was delayed, however, by an increasingly violent demonstration by the supporters of the priests that Herod had burned alive for removing the great golden eagle above the temple gate shortly before his death. When appeasement and reasoning both failed and with the Passover festival imminent, Archelaus attempted to use soldiers to disperse the protesters in the Temple. Outnumbered and under attack by the stone-throwing mob, the soldiers were forced to retreat, following which Archelaus called out his entire army and cavalry. Around three thousand rioters were killed before those remaining gave up and fled.4

With an entourage of friends and relatives, Archelaus went to Caesarea in readiness to sail to Rome for Augustus’ adjudication of Herod’s wills. He was met firstly by the Syrian procurator Sabinus, who was intent upon helping himself to at least some of Herod’s great fortune. Sabinus was temporarily thwarted by the arrival of the more senior Syrian governor Varus. It was agreed that Sabinus would take no action pending the Roman emperor’s decision, but as soon as Archelaus set sail for Rome and Varus returned to Antioch, Sabinus resumed his mercenary quest. He took possession of the royal palace in Jerusalem and although the treasury officials stalled his demands, a rebellion in the city necessitated the return of Varus to restore order. Upon the subsequent departure of Varus, Sabinus goaded the Jews even more and the arrival of tens of thousands of Jews for the Pentecost festival in Jerusalem at the end of May, was as much to punish Sabinus as for religious observance. Serious conflict ensued, followed by looting by Sabinus and his Roman troops. Disturbances broke out across Judea and once again Varus had to step in to put down a number of uprisings.

In the meantime, Emperor Augustus and a council of advisers had begun to consider the claims of the various factions in Rome.

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