Bible Dictionaries
Tetrarch

Holman Bible Dictionary

A political position in the early Roman Empire. It designated the size of the territory ruled (literally the “fourth part”) and the amount of dependence on Roman authority. Luke 3:1 names one of the tetrarchs who served in the year of Jesus' birth. The position became less powerful with time, and the limits of authority narrowed. When Herod the Great died, his kingdom was divided among his three sons, one of whom was called “ethnarch” while the other two were named tetrarchs. See Roman Law .