Section 3 Summary and Analysis

Chapters 6 and 7, describe conditions after Herod's death and Caesar's approval of his successors. The legacy of inconsistency and conflict left by Herod was resolved by the Roman rule of Judea. Chapter 6 The Rise and Fall of Archelaus notes conditions in the kingdom following Herod's obligatory mourning period when his successor, Archelaus faced rebellion. He used persuasion to minimize hostilities before Caesar's approval. Passover approached with many people arriving to raise risk of unrest that his soldiers contained. They killed 3,000 people and scattered the rest. The Syrian procurator Sabinius went to Jerusalem when Archelaus left for Rome to take over Herod's estate. Malthace's son Antipas claimed to be heir from the earlier will. He was praised by Sabinius who denounced Archelaus. Caesar convened Roman officials to hear claims. News arrived of a revolt in Judea that Sabinius tried to put down. Varus...