Kingdom of Herod Agrippa

Origins

Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great and friend of Caligula, received the former Tetrarchy of Philip with the title king in 37. Caligula added Galilee and Peraea in 39, and Claudius, whom Agrippa had helped to the throne, gave him Judea and Samaria in 41, restoring his grandfather's kingdom.

Rule and society

Agrippa I courted Jewish opinion in Jerusalem, began a third city wall and, according to Acts, executed the apostle James; he died suddenly at Caesarea in 44, and Judea returned to Roman procurators. His son Agrippa II received Chalcis and from 53 the northern lands, renaming Caesarea Philippi as Neronias. He supervised the Temple, appointed high priests and heard the apostle Paul at Caesarea.

Decline and legacy

Agrippa II urged his people not to revolt in 66 and fought on Rome's side in the Jewish War. He kept his kingdom afterwards; its end is dated by his death, placed by some sources around 92-93 and by others around 100, after which the territory was annexed to Syria.