Archelaus, son of Herod the Great, was, with Antipas his brother, educated at Rome, and he became heir in his father's last will. After the death of his father he received the acclamations of the people, to whom he made a speech, in which he stated that his title and authority depended upon the good will of Cæsar. The death of Herod having delivered the Jews from his tyrannical rule, they petitioned Cæsar to put them under the jurisdiction of the rulers of Syria. Caesar, however, not willing to set aside Herod's will, gave to Archelaus one half of his father's kingdom, with the title of ethnarch, the royal title to follow should he rule "virtuously". His territory included Judea, Samaria, and Idumæa with the cities of Jerusalem, Cæsarea, Sebaste, and Joppa. He soon aroused opposition by marrying his brother's wife, and having been accused of cruelty by his subjects, "not able to bear his barbarous and tyrannical usage of them", he was banished to Gaul in 7 A.D. The New Testament tells us that Saint Joseph, fearing Archelaus, went to live at Nazareth.

Several of his coins show a bunch of grapes. This was the most common picture on a Jewish coins, reminding the user of the coin of the fabulous fertility of the country. A crested morion was shown on the reverse; its significance is unclear to us, although it must be pointed out that this 'boeotian helmet' was very un-Roman. Other coins showed the bow of a ship and a laurel wreath

Obverse: Bunch of grapes, with branch and leaf

Reverse: Crested helmet

Nicely set in sterling silver handmade pendant

Weight: 5.7 cm - Dimensions: Length: 2.5 cm - Diameter: 2 cm

Condition: Very good condition with sharp details as shown in the pictures

Found in Jerusalem, Israel

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