57-55 B.C. because of his marriage connexion with Herod. After hearing both parties, Antony enquired of Hyrcanus who was the best qualified ruler. Hyrcanus pronouncing in favour of Herod and his brother, Antony was delighted, because he had formerly been their father's guest, and had been hospitably entertained by Antipater when he accompanied Gabinius on his Judæan campaign. So he made the brothers tetrarchs and entrusted them with the administration of the whole of Judæa.—Ant. XIV. 12. 4 f. (242-244). (15) How Herod won his Kingdom
40 B.C. Herod, forced to flee from Palestine by a great invasion of Parthians, who reinstate Antigonus, son of Aristobulus, as King of Judæa, arrives a suppliant at Rome in mid-winter.
Antony commiserated the reversal of Herod's fate. The
trite reflection arose in his mind that even those in the
highest rank are at the mercy of fortune. He was moved
partly by the memory of Antipater's hospitality,[1] partly by
Herod's promise, as on a former occasion when he was
made tetrarch, to give him money if he were made king.
But his main incentive to assist Herod in his suit was
animosity towards Antigonus, whom he regarded as a
promoter of sedition and an enemy of the Roman
people.
Cæsar[2] was even more ready to meet Herod's claim and to further his ends because of the part which Antipater had played in his father's campaigns in Egypt and his hospitality and undeviating loyalty; the desire to gratify Antony, who was a warm admirer of Herod, was a further motive.
The senate was accordingly summoned, and Messala, followed by Atratinus, introduced Herod and rehearsed his father's services and reminded the assembly of the
