Episode Twenty: Problems with Parthians; Herod Agrippa imprisoned

The Parthian king, harboring resentment against Tiberius, makes moves against the Roman empire. Tiberius enlists the help of Herod Antipas in dealing with the situation. Herod Agrippa presses his luck with the princeps and ends up under house arrest.  SHOWNOTES Artabanus had once penned a letter accusing Tiberius of murdering members of his own family, slaughtering innocent people, neglecting his duties, and indulging his lusts. Artabanus concluded the letter by urging Tiberius to satisfy the deep longings of his subjects and commit suicide (Suet, Tib, 66). Lucius used his deft diplomatic skills to entice Artabanus to offer his own young son Darius and a seven-foot tall “giant” named Eleazar, a Judean, as hostages for the peace treaty brokered by Antipas and Lucius Vitellius (Jos. Ant. 18.101). [Josephus tells this story prior to the death of John the Baptist. But Lucius Vitellius was governor of Syria closer to 35 and served until 39.]