accused by his freedman Eutychus of uttering treasonable expressions in his friend's favour, for which offence he was cast into prison. But on the accession of Caligula he was immediately liberated, and was presented with a costly diadem, and a chain of gold, equal in weight with the iron chain with which he was bound, also the tetrarchy of his uncle Philip with the title of king.2 Three years later his possessions were further enlarged by the addition of another tetrarchy which had belonged to his uncle Antipas.

During the reign of Caligula he gave the Jews unmistakable proofs of his friendship by requesting him, at the risk of his own life, to set aside his designs respecting the image which he had commanded Petronius to set up at Jerusalem,3 and as a proof of his regard for his benefactor, when all else had left him, and when there was no one to requite so extraordinary a kindness, he embraced his bleeding body after he was dead and laid it upon a bed.1

At this critical period in the history of the empire his services were eagerly sought after, both by the Republicans and Imperialists at the same time,5 and he proved himself so wily a politician as to retain the favour and esteem of both.

On the accession of Claudius the limits of his kingdom were so far extended that it now almost coincided with that of his grandfather. The emperor likewise made a league with him,

Now as the friendship which Agrippa had for Caius was come to a great height, there happened some words to pass between them as they were in a chariot together concerning Tiberius; Agrippa praying (to God) that Tiberius might soon get off the stage, and leave the government to Caius, who was in every respect more worthy of it. Now Eutychus, who was Agrippa's freedman, and drove his chariot, heard these words,' &c. (Jos. Ant. xviii. 6. 5.)

2 There did not many days pass (after the death of Tiberius) before he (Caius) sent for him to his house, and had him shaved, and made him change his raiment, after which he put a diadem upon his head, and appointed him to be king of the tetrarchy of Philip. He also gave him (or rather promised him-vide note, p. 25) the tetrarchy of Lysanias viz. Abilene), and changed his iron chain for a golden one of equal weight.' (Ant. xviii. 6. 10.)

Vide p. 9, note.

Jos. Ant. xix. 4. 1.

Jos. Of the Wars, ii. 11. 2. Now it happened that at this time Agrippa sojourned at Rome, and that both the senate called him to consult with them, and at the same time Claudius sent for him out of the camp, that he might be serviceable to him, as he should have occasion for his service.'

Jos. Ant. xix. 5. 1; Of the Wars, ii. 11. 5.

confirmed by oaths in the middle of the forum in the city of Rome, and for his sake he issued important edicts favourable to the Jews throughout the Roman dominions. He also addressed letters to the presidents and procurators of the provinces, that they should treat Agrippa with such respect as was meet towards a prince who enjoyed the special favour of the emperor.! On his arrival in Palestine 'he visited Jerusalem and offered all the sacrifices which belonged to him, omitting nothing that the law required.'2 He also repaired the walls of the capital at the public expense and built them wider and higher, intending probably to render them so strong that no enemy could demolish them; but, through the representations of Marcus, who was then governor of Syria, he was frustrated in his design by order of the emperor.

By his strict observance of the Jewish law, his mild temper and liberal gifts, he secured the esteem of many, and with a view of gratifying the Jews still further, 'he stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church, and he killed James the brother of John with the sword; and because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also.' 3

But when Agrippa had reigned three years over all Judea, he came to the city Cæsarea, which was formerly called Strato's Tower, and there he exhibited shows in honour of Cæsar. At this festival a great multitude assembled of the principal persons, and such as were of dignity throughout the province. On the second day he put on a garment made wholly of silver, and of a contexture truly wonderful, and came into the theatre early in the morning, at which time the silver of his garment being illuminated by the fresh reflection of the sun's rays upon it, shone out after a surprising manner, and was so resplendent as to spread a horror over those that looked intently upon him; and presently his flatterers cried out, one from one place and another from another, that he was a god; and they added 'Be thou merciful to us; for, although we have hitherto reverenced thee only as a man, yet shall we henceforth own thee as superior to mortal nature.' Upon this the king did neither rebuke them nor reject their impious flattery. But as he presently afterwards looked up he saw an owl sitting on a rope over his head, and immediately understood that this bird was the messenger of ill tidings, as it had once been the messenger of good tidings to him; and fell into

'Ant. xix. 6. 1.

* Vide p. 25, note.

Acts xii. 1–3.

the deepest sorrow. A severe pain also arose in his bowels, and began in a most violent manner. He therefore looked upon his friends and said, 'I, whom you call a god, am commanded presently to depart this life while Providence thus reproves the lying words which you have just uttered, and I, who was by you called immortal, am immediately to be hurried away by death. But I am bound to accept what Providence allots, as it pleases God; for we have by no means lived ill, but in a splendid and happy manner.' When he had said this, his pain was become violent. Accordingly he was carried into the palace; and the rumour went abroad everywhere that he would certainly die in a little time. But the multitude presently sat in sackcloth with their wives and children, after the law of their country, and be ought God for the king's recovery. All places were also full of mourning and lamentation. Now the king rested in a high chamber, and as he saw them below lying prostrate on the ground he could not himself forbear weeping. And when he had been quite worn out by the pain for five days, he departed this life (Aug. 6th, A.D. 441) in the 54th year of his age and in the 7th year of his reign.2

The extent of Agrippa's dominions, and under whom, and when acquired.

1. The tetrarchy which had formerly belonged to his uncle Philip:

2. The tetrarchy which had belonged to his uncle, Herod Antipas.

3. The remaining districts.

1 Wieseler.

24

This was conferred upon him by Caius immediately after he became

A.D. 37.

Ditto, in A.D. 40.

emperor.

Bestowed by Claudius im

He reigned four years under Caius Cæsar, three of which were over Philip's tetrarchy only, and in the fourth he had that of Herod added to it; and he reigned besides these three years under the reign of Claudius Cæsar, in which time he reigned over the forementioned countries, and also had Judea added to them, as also Samaria and Cæsarea. revenues that he received from them were very great, no less than twelve millions of drachmæ' (= 3,000,000 of shekels, which, at 2s. 10d. per shekel,

=

The

425,000l., Whiston). Yet did he borrow great sums from others; for he was so very liberal that his expenses exceeded his income, and his generosity was boundless.' (Jos. Ant. xix. 8. 2.).

which had formerly been subject to Herod the Great, viz., Judea, Samaria, &c., also Abila of Lysanias, and an extensive district in the neighbourhood. of Mount Libanus.

mediately after he became emperor. A.D. 41.

The high priests who were in office during this reign, and by whom appointed.

1. Theophilus, the son of Ananus.

2. Simon (Cantheras) the son of Boethus.

3. Matthias (the brother of Jonathan and son of Ananus).

4. Elioneus, the son of Cantheras.

Appointed by Vitellius in the first year of Caligula, A.D. 37, and removed by Agrippa in the first year of Claudius, A.D. 41. (Ant. xviii, 5. 3 ; xix. 6. 2.)

Appointed by Agrippa to succeed Theophilus, soon after Judea had been conferred upon him by Claudius. (Ant. xix. 6. 2.)

Appointed by Agrippa in the reign of Claudius, shortly before Marcus succeeded Petronius as governor of Syria. (Ant. xix. 6. 4.)

Appointed by Agrippa about the time that he and Marcus the governor of Syria became enemies. (Ant. xix. 8. 1.)

Agrippa II. was the only surviving son of Agrippa I. He

The high priesthood was offered to Jonathan, who had been in office before, but the honour was declined, and at his especial request bestowed on his brother Matthias. (Ant. xix. 6 4.)

Note. After the death of Agrippa his brother Herod, King of Chalcis, petitioned Claudius Cæsar for the authority over the temple and the money of the sacred treasure, and the choice of the high priests, and obtained all he petitioned for. Accordingly Herod removed the last high priest, called Cantheras (Elioneus) and bestowed that dignity on his successor, Joseph, the son of Camus (or Camydus). (Ant. xx. 1. 3.) And a short time before his death, which happened in the eighth year of Claudius, he again removed Joseph, and appointed Ananias, the son of Nebedeus, as his successor (Ant. xx. 5. 2), who was afterwards sent in bonds to Rome by Quadratus, the governor of Syria. (Ant. xx. 6. 2.)

was educated at Rome and was staying at the court of Claudius, when news was brought him of his father's death. Being now only seventeen years old, the emperor was persuaded to annex Judea to the empire in the form of a Roman province. The government thereof was bestowed on a person named Cuspius Fadus, and Agrippa was for some years detained in Rome. But on the death of his uncle, Herod, King of Chalcis, which happened in the eighth year of Claudius, he was appointed, not only to fill the vacant throne of that kingdom, but also to succeed him as superintendent of the temple and of the treasury, with authority to choose the high priest.2 Four years later, when Felix was appointed to succeed Cumanus as procurator of Judea, Agrippa was deprived of his authority in Chalcis, and advanced to another kingdom, far more extensive, bordering on Judea.3

Soon after the accession of Nero his dominions were again further enlarged by the addition of a certain part of Galilee, Tiberias, and Taricheæ, also Julias, a city of Peræa, with fourteen adjoining villages.4

In A.D. 60, Felix was succeeded, as procurator of Judea, by Festus. On the arrival of this latter in the province we are informed by our historian 5 that Agrippa, accompanied by Bernice, came to Cæsarea to salute him. While here on this occasion the peculiar case of St. Paul was brought under Agrippa's notice, and as a kind of diversion the prisoner was brought into his presence. After listening attentively to his history and defence he was so impressed with the force of his argument, that he was at last heard to exclaim, 'Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.' So favourable also was the impression made upon his mind relative to St. Paul's position as a prisoner, that he further unhesitatingly declared that 'had he not appealed to Cæsar he might have been set at liberty.'

1 Ant. xix. 9. 2; and Of the Wars, ii. 11. 6. 2 Ant. xx. 5. 2; xx. 1. 3; and xx. 8. 8, &c. 9 Ant. xx. 7. 1; and Of the Wars, ii. 12. 8. 4 Ant. xx. 8. 4. 'Cæsar (i.e. Nero) also bestowed on Agrippa a certain part of Galilee, Tiberias and Taricheæ, and ordered them to submit to his jurisdiction. He gave him also Julias, a city of Perea, with fourteen villages that lay about it.'

Acts xxv. 13.

Of the Wars, ii. 13. 2. 'And he (Nero) added to Agrippa's kingdom four cities, with the toparchies to them belonging, I mean Abila, and that Julias which is in Perea, Taricheæ also, and Tiberias of Galilee; but over the rest of Judea he made Felix procurator.'

6 Acts xxvi. 32.