He was the brother of Herod Agrippa I and Herodias and ruled as the king of Chalcis in 41–48 CE.

[3] They had a son named Aristobulus, who also eventually became ruler of Chalcis.

After Mariamne's death, he married his niece Berenice, with whom he had two sons, Berenicianus and Hyrcanus.

[2] Around 41 CE, at the request of his brother, Herod Agrippa, emperor Claudius granted him the rule of Chalcis, a territory north of Judaea, with the title of king.

After his death the kingdom of Chalcis was given to Herod Agrippa II, but only as a tetrarchy.