Herodian Kingdom of Chalcis

Origins

Chalcis, in the Beqaa Valley, had been the seat of an Ituraean principality under Ptolemy son of Mennaeus and Lysanias. In 41 Claudius gave it with the title king to Herod, brother of Agrippa I, now known as Herod of Chalcis.

Rule and society

Herod of Chalcis also received from Claudius authority over the Temple in Jerusalem and the right to appoint high priests, an influence passed on to his successors. After his death in 48, Chalcis went to his nephew Agrippa II, who exchanged it in 53 for larger lands further south. Little is known of internal government; the population was mostly Ituraean Arab and Syrian, with Greek used in administration.

Decline and legacy

From 57 Chalcis was ruled by Aristobulus, son of Herod of Chalcis and husband of Salome, who also held Lesser Armenia. After his reign the territory was annexed to the province of Syria around 92.