Antipater (son of Herod and Doris)

Also known as: Antipater · Family: Herodian family · Role: son of Doris · First appears: Book I, Chapter 22

In Book I, Chapter 22, Herod (son of Antipater and Cypros) expelled Antipater from the city for the sake of his sons by Mariamne, allowing him to return only at festivals. In Chapter 23, after Antipater’s calumnies against his brothers, Herod (son of Antipater and Cypros) restored him to favor and preferred him over Alexander (son of Herod) and Aristobulus (son of Herod). Antipater was publicly named heir, brought Doris back into Mariamne (daughter of Alexander son of Aristobulus)’s household, and secured confirmation of his first-born privilege; he also corrupted Alexander (son of Herod)’s acquaintances and later hired Eurycles to betray him.

In Chapter 28, Herod (son of Antipater and Cypros) arranged Antipater’s marriage to Aristobulus’s daughter and to one of Mariamne (daughter of Aristobulus and Bernice)’s daughters, while Antipater also gained Pheroras’s favor. In Chapter 29, he was sent to Rome with money and a splendid attendance, carrying a testament that made him heir to the kingdom, with Herod, son of Mariamne named as his successor. Though Herod (son of Antipater and Cypros) ordered him to break with Pheroras and his household, Antipater remained connected with them; while in Rome, he arranged for poison to be sent through Antiphilus, Theudio, and Pheroras against his father.

In Chapters 30 and 31, further testimony connected Antipater with poison intended for Herod (son of Antipater and Cypros) and with letters accusing Archelaus (son of Herod and Malthace) and Philip (son of Herod and Cleopatra of Jerusalem). Returning from Rome, he found himself isolated and “equally hated by all men.” Herod (son of Antipater and Cypros) rejected him, appointed Varus to judge him, and had him bound after Nicolaus accused him of attempting to poison the king and of directing crimes in the kingdom. Acme then confessed that Antipater had forged the letter against Salome (sister of Herod). In Chapter 33, Augustus condemned Antipater to death but allowed banishment; Herod (son of Antipater and Cypros) instead had him slain, buried him at Hyrcanium, and altered the testament to name Archelaus (son of Herod and Malthace) successor and Antipas tetrarch.