ABSTRACT
The career of Agrippa II is followed from 49 CE to the eve of the Jewish-Roman War in 66 CE. At the start of this period, he was awarded his first territory to rule and, over the next few years, his kingdom was augmented to include the land around the Sea of Galilee and part of Peraea, extending down to the Dead Sea, by c. 55 CE. Throughout this period, Agrippa maintained Caesarea Philippi (Paneas), situated at one of the main sources of the River Jordan, as his capital, where his palace has been uncovered. In c. 58 CE, Agrippa II and his sister Berenice visited the coastal city of Caesarea Maritima to greet a new Roman governor, Porcius Festus. Agrippa’s advice was sought by Festus on what to do about the apostle Paul, who had been detained as a troublemaker. Agrippa was appointed Curator of the Jerusalem Temple in succession to his uncle, Herod of Chalcis, which gave him the power to appoint and remove High Priests. Agrippa managed to alienate the Jewish establishment through unwise decisions in relation to the Temple. Exasperated by the rapacious behaviour of a series of Roman governors, culminating with Gessius Florus, who unleashed an assault on the inhabitants of Jerusalem by his soldiers, the city’s élite appealed to Agrippa to use his influence to have Florus removed. Agrippa delivered a stern message in his response to the city’s population.
