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Marcus Julius Agrippa (27? – 100? AD), also known as Herod Agrippa II or Agrippa II, was the seventh and last sovereign descended from Herod the Great. Like his father Herod Agrippa I before him, young Agrippa II was educated in Rome under the auspices of the imperial court. Following his father’s death in 44 AD, Agrippa II eventually inherited rule over lands in the Judaean region. Also like his father, Agrippa II served as an ally to Rome, and his client realm gradually increased by the decrees of Emperors Claudius and his successors.
Agrippa II’s administrative duties included renovation of the great Temple of Jerusalem and appointment of its high priest. Reportedly, he exploited this power for his own gain. For these and other abuses, Agrippa II grew unpopular among some Judaeans. Exacerbating the situation, rumors circulated of Agrippa II’s incestuous relationship with his sister, Bernice, who acted as queen consort. The relationship between Agrippa II and Bernice is referenced in the Bible; the pair advised Roman procurator Porcius Festus regarding the disposition of a prisoner named Saul of Tarsus (more commonly known as Paul the Apostle) who was afterwards extradited to Rome.
Beyond alleged blasphemers, Agrippa II and the Romans grappled with even more troublesome issues in the region. For decades since annexation, tensions seethed between the fanatically monotheistic Judaeans and the polytheistic Romans. Making matters worse, Roman procurators assigned to collect taxes in Judaea were apparently prone to abusing their station. Particular notorious in this regard was Gessius Florus, who earned his post in 64 AD owing his wife’s friendship with Empress Poppaea, wife of Emperor Nero. A couple years later, Florus’ troops removed seventeen talents of silver (equivalent to about half a metric ton) from the Temple of Jerusalem, provoking demonstrations and riots. Agrippa II and Bernice attempted to restore order, but instead found themselves expelled from the Holy City.
Acknowledging the futility of de-escalation, Agrippa II mustered an army and returned to quell the rebellion. He joined forces with Roman general (and future Emperor) Vespasian, and his son, (future Emperor) Titus. The Great Jewish Revolt against Rome raged for several bloody years and claimed at least tens, if not hundreds of thousands of lives, with a similarly staggering number enslaved. The conflict culminated in a horrific siege of Jerusalem, wherein Agrippa II likely experienced firsthand the extensive looting and destruction of his recent renovation project.
In recompense for aiding Rome, Agrippa II earned additional honors and territories. His domain, which never encompassed Judaea itself, included several surrounding areas and population centers. Some of these comprised mints, such as Caesarea Paneas, the origin of this rare bronze coin. Situated at a spring feeding into the Jordan river, the area owed its name to a long-standing association with the Greek god Pan. Caesarea Paneas was one of several mints where Agrippa II struck coins, similar to his conduct of other affairs, with a decidedly Hellenistic flair and insensitivity towards Jewish religious values. One such commandment prohibited graven images. Thus, Judaean coins usually lacked depictions of people or animals, a tradition respected by Rome’s procurators assigned to the region. In contrast, Agrippa II’s coins bear portraits and inscriptions of Rome’s Emperors, and even himself.
The reverse of this coin bears the inscription of Agrippa II surrounding the motif of two cornucopias crossed at the base. The cornucopia was a popular symbol of the ancient world, from Hellas to Ptolemaic Egypt. The horn of plenty was also employed on Judaean coinage dating from at least the time of the Hasmonean kings (the predecessors of Herod’s line), perhaps referring to the locale’s reputation as the land of milk and honey. The coin’s reverse also bears the date: the 27th year of Agrippa II’s reign, corresponding to sometime in 75-76 AD. At that time, Emperor Vespasian ruled the Roman Empire, and sons Titus and Domitian served as his Caesars, or heirs to the throne. For this particular coin’s obverse, Agrippa II depicted the bust and inscription of Caesar Domitian.
Agrippa II struck coins until 95 AD, and he may have lived and reigned possibly as late as 100 AD. Notwithstanding an unfavorable reputation, his five-decade tenure was the longest of any Herodian client king, and even surpassed Augustus.
Coin Details: JUDAEA, Herodians, Agrippa II, with Domitian, Circa 50-100 CE, Æ (17mm, 3.72 g, 12h), Caesarea Panias mint, Dated year 27 of Agrippa II’s first era (75/6 CE), NGC Grade: VF, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Laureate head of Domitian right, ΔOMITIANOC KAICAP, Reverse: Double cornucopias crossed at base, ETO KZ BA AΓPIΠΠA, [ETO] KZ (date) to left, BA between, References: Meshorer 171, pl. 59 = Sofaer 245; Hendin 1291; RPC II 2287.