24. Herod’s Father, Antipater laid the foundations for his Son’s future.
Herod’s father, Antipater, owed his early power to his Nabataean connections and sponsorship by the Pharisees, a Jewish religious group composed of laymen and scribes who emerged as a distinct party after the Maccabean revolt of 165-160 BC. However, Antipater’s big break came when he backed the Hasmonean Prince Hyrcanus as a candidate to the throne of Judaea. The Roman general, Pompey, also supported Hyrcanus and intervened on his behalf. Hyrcanus became king, while Antipater acted as the power behind the throne. Antipater continued to court Roman support wisely, cannily siding with Julius Caesar rather than his old ally, Pompey, during the Roman civil wars. As a reward, Caesar made Antipater a Roman citizen in 47 BC- and appointed him the Governor of Judea.