Joseph  [killed 38 BCE]

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.

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