Alexander (grandson of Herod the Great) facts for kids

Alexander, who also had the Roman name Gaius Julius Alexander, was a prince from the famous Herodian dynasty. He was born around 15 BC and lived until about 26 to 28 AD. His life was full of big changes, taking him from a royal palace in Jerusalem to new homes in other parts of the ancient world.

A Prince with a Mixed Heritage

Alexander came from a family with a very diverse background, like a mix of many different cultures from across the ancient world.

His Father's Family

Alexander's father was also named Alexander. He was a prince of Judea and the son of the powerful King Herod the Great. This side of the family had Jewish, Nabataean, and Edomite ancestors.

His Mother's Family

His mother was Glaphyra, a princess from Cappadocia (a kingdom in what is now Turkey). Her family background was a blend of Greek, Armenian, and Persian heritage. She was the daughter of King Archelaus of Cappadocia.

Alexander's name was chosen to honor both his family's Jewish and Greek roots.

Growing Up in a Royal Court

Alexander was born and spent his childhood in his grandfather King Herod's grand palace in Jerusalem. Life in a royal court was often complicated and full of rules.

When Alexander was about eight years old, his father passed away. After this sad event, King Herod sent Alexander's mother, Glaphyra, back to her home in Cappadocia. Alexander and his older brother, Tigranes, had to stay in Jerusalem under the care of their grandfather, King Herod.

As a young prince, Alexander was engaged to be married to the daughter of Pheroras, who was King Herod's brother. However, another of Herod's sons, Antipater, was worried that this marriage could create political problems for the king. He persuaded King Herod to call off the engagement. This shows how family relationships in royal courts were often influenced by politics.

A New Life in Cappadocia

After King Herod died in 4 BC, Alexander and his brother were able to make their own choices about their future. They decided to leave Jerusalem and move to Cappadocia to live with their mother and her family.

Once they arrived, they chose to embrace the Greek culture of their mother's family. They learned about Greek customs and beliefs, moving away from the Jewish traditions of their father's side. Even with this change, they still kept some connections to the Herodian dynasty.

Alexander's Later Years

Not many details are known about Alexander's adult life. He appears to have become a successful and wealthy man. He managed large estates in Egypt that were owned by the Roman emperor's family. He also owned two of his own large properties in an Egyptian town called Euhemeria.

Alexander married and had a son named Tigranes, in honor of his brother. This son later became a king of Armenia with the support of the Roman Empire under the famous Emperor Nero.

Family tree of the Herodian dynasty