Antipas

Antipas is a given name of Greek origin, derived from anti- meaning against and pas meaning all. It has been used in ancient Greek and Hellenistic contexts and continues to appear as a personal name and surname in Greek-speaking communities today.

The most prominent historical figure bearing the name is Herod Antipas, also called Antipas, who lived in the first century BCE and CE. He was a son of Herod the Great and ruled Galilee and Perea as tetrarch from roughly 4 BCE to 39 CE. In Christian sources, he is associated with the events surrounding John the Baptist and the trial of Jesus, and he is described in the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospels as a ruler who interacted with these figures. The ancient historian Josephus also mentions Antipas, providing a non-biblical account of his governance in the region and his role within the Herodian dynasty.

Beyond this well-known figure, Antipas has survived as a given name and, more commonly, as a surname in Greek-speaking communities. In modern contexts, people named Antipas may be found in Greece, Cyprus, and among Greek diaspora populations, and the name can appear in literature and media as well.

In summary, Antipas denotes a historic Greek name with enduring modern usage as both a given name and surname. Its most notable bearer is Herod Antipas, a first-century ruler of Galilee and Perea whose actions feature in both biblical and historical sources.