Antony

Also known as: Antonius · Family: Roman · Role: Roman leader · First appears: Book I, Chapter 9

In Book I, Chapter 9, Antony (also known as Antonius) was connected with Aristobulus when Aristobulus’s remains were sent to the Jews for burial in the royal sepulchers. In Chapter 11, Antony stood as a rival and enemy to Cassius and Brutus, while opposing Augustus; at Philippi, he and Augustus killed Cassius. Afterward, Antony appointed Herod (son of Antipater and Cypros) and Phasaelus tetrarchs over Judea, though his dealings with Jewish ambassadors led to imprisonment, expulsion, and killings at Daphne by Antioch and Jerusalem.

Antony remembered the hospitality of Antipater and was moved by the change in Herod (son of Antipater and Cypros)’s fortunes. At Rome, he supported the senate’s appointment of Herod (son of Antipater and Cypros) as king against Antigonus (son of Aristobulus), while Dellius acted on Antony’s behalf and Antigonus (son of Aristobulus) later offered part of his army at Lydda as a compliment to Antonius. Antony remained at Athens while Ventidius directed affairs connected with the Parthian war, set Sosius over Syria, and dealt with Antiochus; after Herod (son of Antipater and Cypros) ended the siege of Samosata, Antony gave him greater honors and stronger hopes of gaining his kingdom.

By Chapter 18, Sosius had delivered the captive Antigonus (son of Aristobulus) to Antony, who had him executed. Antony transferred much of Herod (son of Antipater and Cypros)’s territory, including the plantations at Jericho, to Cleopatra, and returned from Parthia with Artabazes captive as a present for her. Antony’s friendship with Malichus (king of Arabia) was broken by the killing of the good and great kings, while Alexander was counted among Antony’s friends. Antony was already deeply devoted to Cleopatra, and she persuaded him to send Herod (son of Antipater and Cypros) against the Arabians rather than join the war at Actium; after Antony was defeated there, he and Cleopatra were dead when Augustus arrived in Egypt. In the c. 72 material, Cleopatra urged Antony to kill Herod (son of Antipater and Cypros) and give her the kingdom of Judea.