Episode Nineteen: Herod Agrippa's Discontent and Tiberius' musings about an heir

Herod Agrippa and his wife Cypros are unhappy and attempt to change their fortune with mixed results. When updating his will, Tiberius considers his options in naming an heir.   SHOWNOTES Alexander Lysimachus, the port official known as the Alabarch, had a brother named Philo, an influential Jewish intellectual. (Jos. Ant. 18.259). Alexander also knew Antonia, the mother of Germanicus, Livilla, and Claudius, as he had acted as Antonia’s steward years earlier. (Jos. Ant. 19.276). In the spring of 36 then, Agrippa left for Italy, whereas his wife and children returned to Judea (Jos Ant. 18.159-160). Tiberius looked at Gaius while holding Gemellus and then said, “You will kill him, and another will kill you.” [Tacitus (6.46)]. Tiberius wasn’t sure that Gemellus was actually Drusus’ son. (Cassius Dio 58.23.1). There was a chance that Livilla had been impregnated by Sejanus. Macro went further and said to Tiberius, “I myself will see to Gemellus’ security. I am your friend Tiberius and I carried out your wishes when it comes to Sejanus. You can trust me.” (Philo, Embassy to Gaius, 6).