Aristobulus of Chalcis

Who is Aristobulus of Chalcis?

Aristobulus of Chalcis was a son of Herod of Chalcis and his first wife Mariamne, hence a great-grandson of Herod the Great.

In 55 AD, he was appointed by Nero as King of Armenia Minor, and participated with his forces in the Roman-Parthian War of 58–63, where he received a small portion of Armenia in exchange. He remained its ruler until the area was re-annexed into the Roman Empire in 72. He appears to have also been vested with the kingdom of Chalcis, and his period as a ruler is dated to 57-92.

He was married to Salome after the death of her first husband, Herod Philip II. With her Aristobulus had three children. Three coins with portraits of him and his wife have been found.

The name "Salome" is given to the stepdaughter of Herod Antipas in Josephus's Jewish Antiquities.