Area/Ruler: | Roman Judaea: Herod Agrippa I |
Ruled: | King: 37 - 44 AD |
Denomination: | AE Prutah |
Obverse: | "ΒΑCΙΛΕωC ΑΓΡΙΠΑ" Canopy with fringe. |
Reverse: | Three ears of barley (parallel). In field "L-?" (year not visible) |
Reference: | Hendin 533, GIC 5567 |
Weight: | 2.6 gms |
Diameter: | 15.5 mm |
HEROD AGRIPPA I
Herod Agrippa was born c. 10 BC, died AD 44 AD. His original name was Marcus Julius Agrippa. When Antipater, the son of Herod and the father of Agrippa, was executed by the mentally unstable Herod (the Great), Agrippa was sent to Rome for his education and safety. There he grew up in company with the emperor Tiberius' son Drusus, living the life of a playboy. When Drusus died in AD 23, Agrippa left Rome, and moved to Beersheba, in Palestine. In 36 AD he returned to Rome as tutor to Tiberius' grandson. Agrippa became a friend of Caligula, Tiberius' heir. Although an intemperate remark about Tiberius landed Agrippa in prison, with the accession of Caligula, his fortunes were reversed. |