Herodian tetrarchy

Herodian Tetrarchy
of the Roman Empire
← 4 BCE–41 CE →   →   →
Territory under Herod Archelaus   Territory under Herod Antipas   Territory under Philip the Tetrarch   Jamnia under Salome I.
Capital		Jerusalem 31°47′N 35°13′E / 31.783°N 35.217°E / 31.783; 35.217Coordinates: 31°47′N 35°13′E / 31.783°N 35.217°E / 31.783; 35.217
Ethnarch
•	4 BCE - 6 CE	Herod Archelaus
Historical era		Augustan Age
•	death of Herod the Great	4 BCE
•	Judea transformed into Roman Province	6 CE
•	(accession of Herod Agrippa I as sole ruler	41 CE
Today part of		Israel  Palestine  Jordan  Syria  Lebanon

The Herodian Tetrarchy was formed following the death of Herod the Great in 4 BCE, when his kingdom was divided between his sons as an inheritance. Judea, the major section of the tetrarchy, was transformed by Rome in 6 CE, abolishing the rule of Herod Archelaus, and forming the Province of Judea by joining together Judea proper, Samaria and Idumea. However, other parts of the Herodian Tetrarchy continued to function under Herodians. Thus, Philip the Tetrarch ruled Batanea, with Trachonitis, as well as Auranitis until 34 CE (his domain later being incorporated into the Province of Syria), while Herod Antipas ruled Galilee and Perea until 39 CE.

At the time of his death, Herod ruled over most of the South Western Levant, as a client-state of the Roman Empire. Antipas was not Herod's first choice of heir. That honor fell to Aristobulus and Alexander, Herod's sons by the Hasmonean princess Mariamne. It was only after they were executed (c. 7 BCE), and Herod's oldest son Antipater was convicted of trying to poison his father (5 BCE), that the now elderly Herod fell back on his youngest son Antipas, revising his will to make him heir. During his fatal illness in 4 BCE, Herod had yet another change of heart about the succession. According to the final version of his will, Antipas' elder brother Archelaus was now to become king of Judea, Idumea and Samaria, while Antipas would rule Galilee and Perea with the lesser title of tetrarch. Philip was to receive Gaulanitis (the Golan Heights), Batanaea (southern Syria), Trachonitis and Auranitis (Hauran).

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Wikipedia