Who is…
Drusilla

She is the third and youngest princess daughter of Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1-4, 20-23).

Antonius Felix, the pagan Roman procurator of Judea lusted for her great beauty and determined to make her his 2nd wife. He induced her to leave her husband, Gaius Julius Azizus, priest king of the Emesene dynasty (Emesa), who had consented to be circumcised, and so she could become his wife. Drusilla divorced Azizus.

At the age of about 22 years, Drusilla appeared at Felix’s side when Paul reasoned with him about spiritual reality—light versus darkness.

But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and summoned Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and answered, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will call for you.” —Acts 24:24, 25

Felix married 3 times. His first wife was Drusilla of Mauretania, probably the daughter of Ptolemy of Mauretania and Julia Urania. Drusilla of Judea was his 2nd. His 3rd wife’s name is not attested.

Drusilla and her son Marcus Antonius Agrippa perished in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius (79 AD), the same eruption that destroyed Caesar August’s villa in Nola.

Drusilla’s sister is Berenice, wife of Herod of Chalcis until 48 years old, and then spent much of her life at the court of her brother, Herod Agrippa II. She is chiefly known for her love affair with the Roman general (later emperor) Titus.

More information

• Jewess
• Who is Felix?
• Who are the men called Herod in the Bible, the Herodian Dynasty?
• Who is Paul? and what is his significance?
• Women of the Bible