Agrippa

The name ‘Agrippa’ can be used for either Marcus Julius Agrippa (known as Agrippa II), or his father, Herod Agrippa (known as Agrippa I). When the father died in 44 A.D., the son was regarded by Roman emperor Claudius as too young to succeed, and the rule was entrusted to his uncle, Herod, brother of Agrippa I. The uncle died in 48 A.D., and the kingdom was granted to Agrippa II in 50 A.D.; later he would also govern some portions of Galilee. Like his father, Agrippa II was careful to win the goodwill of the Jews by deference to Jewish law and custom; at the same time he was a patron of the Hellenistic culture and religion. He contributed to the building of the temple in Jerusalem, but a dispute arose when he constructed a terrace on his palace from which he could observe the temple area. Agrippa II was present when the new procurator, Festus, found Paul (Rabbi Saul) in prison, and Agrippa II asked that Paul might be permitted to speak to him. Bernice, the widow of his uncle Herod, was also his sister, and the two had an openly incestuous relationship. It became clear to the Jews that Agrippa II was not really on their side, and when the Jewish revolt broke out in 66 A.D., Agrippa II and Bernice did all they could to prevent the revolt in Palestine from going any further. When they were unsuccessful, they remained stoutly loyal to Rome throughout the war, confirming the suspicions of the Jews. After the war, he received additional territories from Rome, presumably as a reward for his loyalty. The date of his death is not certain, but he seems to have reigned until around 100 A.D.