Herod's impetuous
younger
brother & lieutenant during his war with the Hasmonean, Antigonus,
for control of
Jerusalem.
When Herod returned from Rome, having been recognized as "King
of the Jews," he sent Joseph with a contingent of Roman
troops to take control of
Idumea while he
secured Galilee.
But as Herod went to consult with
Marc Antony,
Joseph foolishly led his troops to
Jericho where
they were slaughtered in an ambush. When Joseph's body was
brought to Antigonus he decapitated it. News of this setback led
Galileans to revolt and drown the troops Herod had left there,
prolonging the conflict.
References:
Josephus, Antiquities
14.122,
413,
438, 448-450.
______,
War
1.286-288,
303,
323-326,
342.