Agrippa I: The Enigma of His Demise

In this final chapter, we unravel the mysterious events surrounding the death of Herod Agrippa I, the last Jewish king of Judea. Key elements include:

Political Climate: Agrippa followed orthodox Jewish policies, earning the friendship of the Jews. He may have clashed with many, but perhaps not all, of the Greeks in his and adjacent regions.

Clash with Vibius Marsus: Agrippa's ambitions clashed with the imperial legate of the Roman province of Syria, Vibius Marsus.

Symptoms and Toxicology: Agrippa's sudden death in 44 CE remains shrouded in mystery. Some speculate poisoning, but the exact cause eludes us. We explore his symptoms and discuss potential toxicological and other factors.

We also discuss the question: Would it be reasonable to suggest from the archaeological and historical record that there was a political motive for Agrippa I's sudden demise?

Elizabeth Legge is a Doctor of Medicine candidate at a European university. She achieved her Master's degree in Classical Archaeology at the University of Pisa, Italy and will be pursuing a PhD in the field. She was awarded her Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies and Bachelor of Sciences in Integrated Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Canada. She has travelled extensively to all continents since childhood and lived in many countries. She is Australian, Canadian and half English.