Antipater (Idumeans)

Antipatros (also Antipas for short , literally "like his father"; * approx. 100 BC; † 43 BC ), from Idumea was the father of Herod the Great , advisor to John Hyrcanus II and Roman administrator in Judea .

Origin and family

Little is known about the family origins. Nikolaos of Damascus , Herod's biographer, traces the family's origins back to one of the Jewish families who did not return from exile in Babylon ; but it should be a genealogy of convenience.

In any case, Antipater comes from a noble family of the Idumaean upper class. Idumea , an area south of Judea, was annexed by John Hyrcanus I of Judea and its inhabitants converted to Judaism . His father Antipas was appointed strategos (chief) of Idumea by Alexander Jannäus , a position that he owed both to his wealth and to his good relations with the neighbors of the Idumeans, especially the Arab Nabataeans and the inhabitants of the coastal cities of Gaza and Ascalon . His brother was Phallion who lived in 63 BC. Died in the battle of Papyron . Another brother, Joseph, was the first spouse of Salome , the influential sister of the future Jewish king Herod the Great.

Antipater married Kypros, a member of the Nabatean royal family (Jos. Bell. 1.180). In addition to Herod, his brothers Phasael (around 75–40 BC), Joseph (around 70–38 BC), Pheroras (around 68–5 BC) and his sister Salome (around 65 BC) come from this marriage BC - AD 10).

Followers of Hyrcanus

Antipater was originally, like his father, administrator ( strategos ) of Idumea . It appears historically at the time when Queen Salome Alexandra 67 BC. Chr. Seriously ill hands over the government business to her son Hyrcanus, who was the high priest at the time . The other son, Aristobulus II. Revolted, seized a few fortresses and set up a mercenary army, with whose help he soon put his brother in such a distressed position after the death of Alexandra that he declared himself ready to abdicate ( Josephus , Ant . Jud. XIV, 1).

For a more detailed account of the conflict between Hyrcanus and Aristobulus see the main article Hasmonean Fratricidal War .

At this point in time, Antipater is evidently a confidante of the deposed Hyrcanus. He advises him to seek the help of the Nabatean king Aretas , which he also granted after Hyrcanus had promised him the return of the Nabatean cities conquered by Alexander Jannäus. Aretas moved with an army of 50,000 men against Aristobulus and defeated him, whereupon Aristobulus fled to Jerusalem and was besieged by Aretas there.

The tide turns when Scaurus , a general of Pompey, intervenes in the conflict and, after carefully weighing the bribes offered by both brothers, forces Aretas to lift the siege. After Aretas and Scaurus have withdrawn, Aristobulus gathers an army again and succeeds in defeating the forces of Hyrcanus and Antipater near Papyron. Phallion , a brother of Antipater's, falls in this battle, Hyrcanus and Antipater's find asylum in Petra , the capital of the Nabataeans, where Antipater's family has already stayed to safely await the outcome of the fraternal war.

Antipater has been accused of fueling the conflict between the two brothers and thereby promoting the rise of his family to power. The fact is that Hyrcanus was the reigning high priest and designated (i.e. legitimate) king, so Antipater (for whatever other motives) acted as a loyal subject of the rightful king if he supported Hyrcanus in his claim.

Reorganization of Judea

Since the regulation of the situation by Scaurus was apparently not suitable to bring about permanent peace in Judea, Pompey called the representatives of the two parties to himself about a year later (64/63 BC). Antipater appears there as a representative of Hyrcanus.

From around this time on it is difficult to decide whether Antipater acts more as an official of Hyrcanus or as a representative of the Romans. In this context the question arises as to what was Antipater's mandate and power base. It can be summarized as follows:

• Initially, as administrator of Idumea and advisor to the Jewish King Hyrcanus, he was a high- ranking Jewish official with changing official titles ( strategos , epitropos , epimeletes ) and responsibilities (also outside of Judea and then probably on behalf of Rome),
• Then he was connected by marriage and friendship both to the Nabataeans and to other rulers and cities of the region (e.g. they provided him with military aid, see Ant. 14.129, Bell. 1.188),
• and finally, as a client of Pompey and later Caesar, he was involved in the Roman system of mutual commitment.

After some hesitation, Pompey decided in favor of Hyrcanus. Aristobulus did not want to accept this decision and made preparations for military resistance. Immediately threatened by Roman troops, he finally gave in, but his followers did not give up. When they were besieged in Jerusalem by Pompey and followers of Hyrcanus opened the city gates to the Roman troops, they withdrew into the temple. After three months of siege, Pompey succeeded in taking the temple, with thousands of deaths on the Jewish side.

The subsequent reorganization of Judea by Pompey had a favorable effect for Antipater. He acted as administrator with a Roman mandate and remained in this function when Hyrcanus was stripped of all political power by Gabinius (who was a legate in Syria in 57-54 BC). The reason was probably that Antipater proved to be of great use to the Romans:

• As Scaurus 62 BC BC undertook a campaign against the Nabateans and almost fell victim to the Nabatean tactic with his troops, first to let the enemy advance, but then to cut off water and supplies in the desert-like area, Antipater supported the Romans with grain from Judea. In addition, he negotiated with Aretas until he agreed to pay 300 talents to Scaurus, with Antipatros vouching for the payment of the tribute.
• On the way to Rome, Alexander, Aristobulus' son, managed to escape. He returned in 57 BC. BC back to Judea, reignited another uprising and succeeded in driving out Hyrcanus. Shortly afterwards, however, he had to give way to the troops of Marcus Antonius sent by Gabinius . He is supported by Jewish troops under Antipater's command.
• As Gabininus in 55 BC BC in Egypt (without authorization from the Senate, but at the behest of Pompey) invaded with the aim of Ptolemy XII. To reinstate Neos Dionysus as pharaoh, Antipater led an army contingent. Mercenaries from the Jewish colony in Pelusium initially resist, but are persuaded by Antipater to let the Roman troops pass.
• Shortly afterwards Alexander, the son of Aristobulus, managed to rekindle an uprising in Judea. The Antipater sent by Gabinius succeeded in persuading a considerable part of the rebels to lay down their arms. Alexander and 30,000 followers refused to give up and were defeated by Gabinius on Mount Tabor (Jos. Ant. XIV, 102).

In 54 BC Chr. Was Marcus Licinius Crassus , Caesar and Pompey next member of the first triumvirate , as the successor of Gabinius governor of the province of Syria . However, his interest was not in the province, but in the preparation of a great campaign against the Parthians , from which he expected fame, fortune and support from the army. In order to raise the necessary funds, he not only tampered with the temple treasures , but also removed everything that was found in the temple in terms of gold implements and ornaments - a sacrilege that Pompey had shied away from committing at the time. According to Josephus' report (Ant. XIV. 105ff), it was the almost unbelievable sum of 10,000 talents (around 300–400 tons of gold, in today's currency at least billions). Despite the solid funding, the Roman army suffered one of the most devastating defeats in Roman history at the Battle of Carrhae : 20,000 soldiers lost their lives (including Crassus himself and his son), 10,000 were taken prisoner and even the standards were lost, which was considered in Rome special disgrace was felt. It goes without saying that in Judea this defeat was regarded as God's prompt revenge for the committed temple robbery.

Gaius Cassius Longinus was able to save himself from the battle with his troops. Cassius was later one of the main participants in the conspiracy against Caesar. When he returned to Syria, he succeeded Crassus. After he had secured the borders of Syria against invading Parthians and had committed Alexander, son of Aristobulus to peace, he struck another uprising of supporters of Aristobulus near Tarichea (known under the name Migdal or Magdala as the place of origin of Mary Magdalene ) in Judea Down on the Sea of ​​Galilee , sold 30,000 rebellious Jews into slavery and had Pitholaos (one of the leaders) executed on the advice of Antipater (Jos. Bell. 1.180).

Roman civil war

In the meantime, political tensions in Rome had grown steadily, which finally happened in 49 BC. Led to the outbreak of civil war with Pompey on one side and Caesar on the other. One of Caesar's actions directed against Pompey was the liberation of Aristobulus, to whom he made two legions available with the aim of causing difficulties for Hyrcanus in Judea (and thus Pompey in Syria). But the plan failed because Aristobulus was poisoned in Rome by supporters of Pompey. In addition, Alexander, son of Aristobulus, was beheaded shortly afterwards by Quintus Metellus Scipio in Antioch. The dispute ends with the defeat of the Pompey party in the battle of Pharsalus and the flight of Pompey to Egypt, where he killed Ptolemy XIII. falls victim.

At that time, Caesar was enclosed in Alexandria and found himself outnumbered by Egyptian troops under Achillas, the general of Ptolemy XIII. , across from. In the meantime, the relief army of Mithridates of Pergamon in Pelusium was denied entry into Egypt. Antipater not only came to his aid with a Jewish contingent of 3,000 men, but also brought other auxiliary troops with him from Syria and Nabataea. With its help, Pelusium could be taken after a short siege. During the storming, he distinguished himself through personal commitment. Shortly afterwards, when the Jewish mercenaries in Leontopolis wanted to prevent the relief army from marching on, Antipater persuaded them to switch to Caesar's side. Strictly speaking, it was Cleopatra's side , sister, wife and co-regent of Ptolemy, who had been deposed by him and whose side Caesar had taken. It is unclear to what extent Hyrcanus himself took part in this campaign. Josephus writes (Ant. XIV.130) that Antipater had convinced the Jews of Leontopolis through a letter from Hyrcanus, which suggests that Hyrcanus was not there; but below (Ant. XIV.139) he expressly confirms the participation of Hyrcanus in the campaign. Finally, during a battle in the delta, near the coast, Antipater succeeds in rescuing Mithridates from a troubled situation under great danger. The acts of war of Antipater were reported to Caesar, who had once again made it possible for the relief army to arrive on time to achieve victory.

Caesar was grateful for the help: Antipater became a client of Caesar, a connection that became the basis of the close relationship between Antipater's descendants and the rulers of Rome. In addition, Antipater was granted Roman citizenship with the privilege of tax exemption. Hyrcanus is confirmed in his office as high priest and ethnarch of Judea. In addition, Caesar approved the repair of the city fortifications of Jerusalem, which had been razed by Pompey. An accusation brought before Caesar by Antigonus, Aristobulus' son, that Antipater was responsible for the murder of his father Aristobulus and for the execution of his brother, is rejected by Caesar.

Power struggles in Jerusalem

When epitropos from Judea (for example: overseer, steward) returned to Jerusalem, Antipater hastened to clarify the balance of power. He entrusted his eldest son Phasael with the administration of Jerusalem (this probably also included supervising the reconstruction of the city fortifications), his second eldest Herod (then only 25) he made the administrator of Galilee (Ant. XIV.158). Both brothers gained recognition, Herod through energy, Phasael through binding dealings with the citizens of Jerusalem, and this recognition increased Antipater's reputation among the Jews. Josephus writes (Ant. XIV.162) that he was honored like a king, but that he continued to be loyal to Hyrcanus.

Whatever the nature of the relationship between Hyrcanus and Antipater, it is easy to understand that the Jewish upper class was deeply concerned by the steady increase in the power and wealth of Antipater and his clan, especially since the special relationship of the Antipater to the leaders of Rome gave him a weight that they had nothing to oppose and that made him to a certain extent unassailable. Therefore one looked for another starting point for the attack and found it in the perhaps too energetic approach of Herod. He had successfully fought so-called robbers in Galilee and the neighboring districts of Syria and had one of the leaders named Ezechia and some of his followers unceremoniously executed instead of bringing them to justice, as the law would have required. This procedure provided the means to accuse Herod before Hyrcanus.

The situation of Hyrcanus must have been difficult: on the one hand, Herod had violated Jewish law. Mind you, only against Jewish law - as a representative of Rome, his actions may have been perfectly legal, especially if the actions took place in the province of Syria, i.e. actually outside the jurisdiction of Hyrcanus. The evaluation of the actions of Herod would then be a matter for the governor of Syria, at that time the Sextus Iulius Caesar , a relative of Gaius Iulius Caesar . According to Josephus' report (Ant. XIV.168ff), Herod's actions not only met with the approval of Sextus, but also instructed Hyrcanus to drop the charges against Herod. The proud appearance of young Herod, who appeared in court in splendid robes and accompanied by a bodyguard, will not have simplified the matter for Hyrcanus. What exactly Hyrcanus did is not entirely clear; in any case, he seems to have treated the matter dilatorily , while Herod had time to go to Damascus under the protection of Sextus.

Conspiracy of Malichus and death of Antipater

After Herod was appointed leader of the army (στρατηγός) in Koilesyria and Samaria by Sextus , he had the opportunity to support his legal position against Hyrcanus and the upper class in Jerusalem with military power. He did not hesitate long, but soon appeared in the company of an army at the gates of Jerusalem, evidently with the intention of removing Hyrcanus. There, however, his father Antipater and his brother Phasael managed to dissuade him from this project. At least that is the description in Josephus (Ant. XIV.170ff and Bell. I.212ff). Josephus also claimed that Herod had acquired his position as military leader through bribery, that is to say that he had bought a Roman army.

Another interpretation of the events seems more likely: that it was not a dispute between Hyrcanus and Herod, but a power struggle between Rome and the Judean theocracy. Sextus had instructed Hyrcanus to dismiss the lawsuit as there was no cause of action under Roman law. Hyrcanus had not obeyed this instruction: he and his counselors had tried to apply Jewish law outside of Judea to a Jew (Herod) who, in Sextus' eyes, was primarily a Roman citizen. In order to enforce his position, Sextus instructed Herod to march with sufficient troops to Jerusalem and to force Hyrcanus to give in or, if necessary, to depose him.

At that time (46 BC) Caesar had defeated Pompey, but his followers had not yet been overcome everywhere. One of these followers, Quintus Caecilius Bassus , managed to assassinate Sextus and bring the Roman troops in Syria under his control. However, he was attacked by Caesar's troops under Lucius Staius Murcus and besieged in Apamea . At first it was not possible to defeat him. Only when Quintus Marcius Crispus , the governor in Bithynia , intervened with three legions in the battle, could Bassus be defeated. In this dispute, Antipater supported Caesar's side by providing auxiliary troops and sending his sons Herod and Phasael.

As Caesar in 44 BC BC fell victim to a conspiracy, there were renewed upheavals in the political landscape. Gaius Cassius Longinus , one of the heads of the conspiracy, was appointed governor of Syria by Caesar. Mark Antony , trying to succeed Caesar, replaced him with Publius Cornelius Dolabella , but could not prevent Cassius from taking command of the Syrian forces after Cassius succeeded in brokering a peace between Bassus and Murcus and the siege of Apamea was lifted. With this army Cassius defeated Dolabella's troops in the battle of Laodicea (Ant. XIV.271ff; Bell. I.218f).

It can be assumed that Cassius' position in Syria was by no means unchallenged even after this victory. Apart from the ongoing pay costs for several legions, he also had to prepare for an expected attack by Mark Antony. Even in Cleopatra , mother of Caesar's son Kaisarion (hence a possible successor to Caesar) and Queen of Egypt, who traditionally represented strong interests in the Syrian region, Cassius had to face possible hostilities. In order to raise urgently needed funds, he imposed heavy tributes on the cities and provinces under his control. If he did not perform, he went so far as to sell the inhabitants of cities unwilling or unable to pay into slavery (according to Josephus' report with the cities of Gophna , Emmaus , Lydda and Thamna ).

The tribute imposed on the regions of Judea and Galilee was 700 talents. Antipater arranged for the responsibility for raising this sum to be divided among several high-ranking personalities, among them his sons Phasael and Herod. The latter delivered his share (100 talents for Galilee) on time and before everyone else, which earned him the special goodwill of Cassius. Unlike a certain Malichus, who did not appear ready to raise the part he had to do. Cassius would have had him executed had it not been for Hyrcanus, through Antipater, to have paid 100 talents instead of Malichus.

Why Malichus thought it wise to draw the wrath of Cassius is unclear. Apparently Malichus was a member of the opposition, which wanted to prevent the steady increase in power of Antipater and his family and the increasing erosion of the power of the Hasmonean kingdom. This opposition was successful and powerful enough to persuade Antipater to leave Jerusalem. He went to the east bank of the Jordan to Perea , where he gathered an army from the Jews and their Arabs.

Meanwhile, Herod and Phasael stayed in Jerusalem. Their position was relatively strong after Josephus, since Phasael was under the control of the troops in Jerusalem and the supplies of weapons were under Herod's supervision. Malichus therefore denied all hostile intentions towards Antipater and induced Phasael to mediate a reconciliation with Antipater for him. Before that happened, however, Antipater was poisoned at a feast of Hyrcanus by a servant bribed by Malichus.

Malichus subsequently denied any involvement in the act and was at least partially covered by Hyrcanus. Meanwhile, Herod, who had been entrusted by Cassius and Murcus with an army command in Koilesyria, had obtained the approval of Cassius for his plan to avenge his father's death. Malichus, who was supposedly planning an uprising against Cassius, was then stabbed to death near Tire by Herod's Roman officers. Hyrcanus is said to have been speechless when he received news of Malichus' death.

swell

• Flavius ​​Josephus , Antiquitates Judaicae 13 and 14
• Flavius ​​Josephus, Bellum Judaicum 1.5-6

literature

• Ulrich Wilcken : Antipater 17 . In: Paulys Realencyclopadie der classischen Antiquity Science (RE). Volume I, 2, Stuttgart 1894, Col. 2509-2511.