Tetrarch
“Ruler of a fourth part”
Summary
A tetrarch was originally the ruler of a fourth part of a province, but the term came to designate any petty dependent prince in the Roman Empire.
☩Etymology and Origin
The word tetrarch derives from the Greek τετράρχης (tetrarches), combining τέτταρα (four) and ἀρχή (government or rule). The term was first used in connection with the division of Thessaly as originally constituted, where the region was divided into four parts, each governed by a tetrarch subordinate to a central ruler. Philip of Macedon reconstructed this arrangement when he divided Thessaly into four tetrarchies. A similar system existed in Galatia, where each of the three tribes had four tetrarchs before Pompey reduced the number.
☩Later Usage
In the later Roman period, the etymological meaning was largely lost, and the title was applied to any petty tributary prince whose importance did not warrant the title of 'king.' The Romans distinguished between tetrarchs and ethnarchs, the latter being a higher rank as the recognized head of a nation. These tetrarchs were subordinate rulers, dependent upon Rome for their limited sovereignty and occasionally promoted to higher dignity through loyal service.
☩Tetrarchs in the New Testament
The New Testament mentions three tetrarchs: Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea; Philip, tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis; and Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene. Herod Antipas is the most frequently mentioned, commonly called 'Herod the tetrarch,' though Matthew and Mark also refer to him as 'king' as a courtesy title. Luke consistently uses the precise Roman designation 'tetrarch.' When Herod the Great died, his kingdom was divided: Archelaus received half as 'ethnarch,' while Antipas and Philip each received a quarter as tetrarchs. The tetrarchies of both Antipas and Philip were later added to the kingdom of Herod Agrippa I by Emperor Caligula.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Tetrarch," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Tetrarch," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Tetrarch," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Tetrarch," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 5.George Morrish, "Tetrarch," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 6.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "TETRARCH," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. XI (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
- 7.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Tetrarch," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).