Archelaus: Ruler of the people, son of Herod the Great, by Malthace, a Samaritan
woman. He was educated along with his brother Antipas at Rome. He
inherited from his father a third part of his kingdom viz., Idumea,
Judea, and Samaria, and hence is called "king"
(Matthew 2:22) It was for
fear of him that Joseph and Mary turned aside on their way back from
Egypt. Till a few days before his death Herod had named Antipas as
his successor, but in his last moments he named Archelaus.
