TETRARCH

TETRARCH, Greek term meaning vassal-ruler, given to minor rulers in the provinces of Judea and Syria in the Roman period. The original meaning of the word was "head of the four," and it was used in this sense in Thessaly. However, in the course of time it lost its original meaning and during the Roman era was used for a ruler of a rank lower than that of king. The tetrarchs were appointed by the Roman emperor and were subject to him. The region ruled by the tetrarch was called a tetrarchy. Within the tetrarchy and in all internal affairs the tetrarch had the rights of a king, as well as a fixed yearly income. In all foreign affairs, however, he was subject to Rome. Among the better known tetrarchs of Jewish history were phasael , his brother herod , later to become king, and the latter's sons – herod antipas , tetrarch of Galilee and Transjordan with a yearly income of 200 talents, and herod phillipus , tetrarch of the Bashan, Argob, and Hauran with a yearly income of 100 talents. -BIBLIOGRAPHY: Jos., Ant., 17:318, 319; Schuerer, Hist, 353 n. 12; G.H. Stevenson, Roman Provincial Administration… (1939, repr. 1949). (Edna Elazary)