TETRARCH

Title of a petty ruler, derived from the Greek τετράρχης and denoting a ruler over the fourth part of a realm. Originally it was conferred by Philip of Macedonia upon the governors of the four districts of Macedonia, but by the beginning of the Christian Era it was used of any subordinate ruler in a given region without any indication of a fourfold political division of government. In the latter sense the title is given to Philip, Lysanias, and herod antipas (Lk 3.1–2, 19; 9.7; Mt 14.1; Acts 13.1). Philip and Antipas were members of the Herodian dynasty, but neither enjoyed the broad powers of Herod the Great. They had to be content with the lesser powers and title of tetrarchs.

Bibliography: Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Bible, translated and adapted by l. hartman (New York, 1963) 2416.

[r. mercurio]

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]

te·trarch / ˈteˌträrk/ • n. (in the Roman Empire) the governor of one of four divisions of a country or province. ∎  one of four joint rulers. ∎ archaic a subordinate ruler.DERIVATIVES: te·trar·chy n. (pl. -chies) .

tetrarch ruler of one of four divisions of a country, subordinate ruler. XIV. — late L. tetrarcha, classL. -ēs — Gr. tetrárkhēs, f. TETRA- + -arkhēs ruling.
So tetrarchy XV.

tetrarch in the Roman Empire, the governor of one of four divisions of a country or province; later, more generally, a subordinate ruler.