The Macmillan Encyclopedia

The Macmillan Encyclopedia

Herod Agrippa I (c. 10 bc - 44 ad)

King of Judaea (41-44); the grandson of Herod the Great.

An impecunious adventurer, he was educated at the Roman imperial court after the execution of his father by Herod the Great. He intrigued in imperial family politics and helped Emperor Claudius to power, for which he was made King of Judaea. He was a popular ruler but persecuted Christians, executing St James, the son of Zebedee, and imprisoning St Peter.