Herod the Great

Herod the Great, also known as Herod I, lived around 72 to 4 or 1 BCE. He was a king of Judea chosen by the Romans. Herod is famous for building many huge structures, including rebuilding the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Part of this temple is the Western Wall, which many people visit today.

Herod was also described in the Christian Bible as ordering a sad event called the Massacre of the Innocents. After Herod died, the Romans split his kingdom among his children. One son, Herod Antipas, ruled areas such as Galilee and Peraea. Another son, Herod Archelaus, ruled Judea, Samaria, and Idumea.

Many details about Herod’s life come from the writings of Josephus, a historian who lived around the same time. While Herod achieved a lot, some historians thought he was a strict and unfair ruler.

Biography

Herod was born around 72 BCE in Idumea, south of Judea. He was the son of Antipater the Idumaean, an important official, and Cypros, a princess from Petra in Jordan. Herod grew up as a Jew, even though his family had Edomite roots and had converted to Judaism.

Herod became a leader with the help of the Romans. His father had good relationships with Roman leaders, which helped Herod gain power. He served in various roles, including governing Galilee. With Roman support, Herod eventually became the king of the Jews. He worked to secure his rule, even marrying into the royal family to gain more support. Herod ruled Judea for many years and was known for his grand building projects.

Reign in Judea

Herod’s rule brought big changes to Judea. Before him, the Hasmonean kings had ruled Judea for many years, but they became subjects of Rome after Rome took control in 63 BCE. Herod took over after a long struggle and became the king of Judea with support from Rome.

Herod was named “King of Judea” by the Roman Senate. He had to follow Rome’s rules but also rule Judea in his own way. Herod built many huge projects, like expanding the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and building a big harbor at Caesarea Maritima. These buildings helped create jobs and gave people ways to earn a living. However, many people in Judea were unhappy with Herod because of heavy taxes and changes he made that did not fit Jewish traditions.

Herod and Augustus

Herod and Augustus had an important relationship. Herod ruled the Jewish people and their holy lands, while Augustus was the leader of the Roman Empire. Herod wanted to please both Jewish and non-Jewish people in his kingdom, while also meeting Augustus' goals to share Roman culture and buildings across his empire. Because of this, Herod built many structures inspired by Roman style. One example is a temple called the Augusteum, which he built to honor Augustus and show devotion to Rome.

Architectural achievements

Main article: Herodian architecture

Herod the Great is best known for his huge building projects. His biggest work was making the Second Temple in Jerusalem much bigger and grander. He wanted Jerusalem to be a wonderful city and hoped this would help him earn the support of the Jewish people. Even though the main temple was finished quickly, work on the surrounding buildings went on for many years after his time.

Herod also did many other important things. He built places to get water for Jerusalem, strong fortresses like Masada and Herodium, and founded new cities such as Caesarea Maritima. He also helped protect important places like the Cave of the Patriarchs and Mamre in Hebron. Together with Cleopatra, he controlled the special material called asphalt from the Dead Sea, which was important for building ships. He also managed copper mines on the island of Cyprus for the Roman emperor.

New Testament references

Main article: Massacre of the Innocents

The story from the Gospel of Matthew tells of a time after the birth of Jesus when visitors from far away came to Herod the Great looking for a special child. Herod felt worried because he thought this child might take his place as king. He asked wise leaders where this child would be born, and they said Bethlehem. Herod told the visitors to find the child and tell him where he was so Herod could also visit and honor him.

But after the visitors found Jesus, they dreamed not to return to Herod. Joseph, Jesus' family member, also dreamed that Herod wanted to harm Jesus, so they left for Egypt. When Herod realized his plan had failed, he was very upset. Historians and many experts today think this story might not have actually happened, as other writings from that time do not mention it.

Death

Herod died in Jericho after a painful and bad illness. Historians debate whether he died in 4 BCE or 1 BCE. Some believe he died in 4 BCE because his sons' records suggest their rule began before 1 BCE. Others argue for 1 BCE, pointing to coins and events that align better with that year.

After Herod’s death, his kingdom was divided among his sons. One son, Herod Archelaus, ruled part of the land until he was removed. Another son, Herod Antipas, ruled in Galilee and Peraea until he was exiled. A third son, Philip, ruled areas north and east of the Jordan River until his death in 34 CE.

Herod's tomb

Main article: Herodium

Herod the Great was buried at a place called Herodium, as written by the historian Josephus. Archaeologists searched near a pool in that area and found parts of a large building that might have been his resting place.

In May 2007, a team of archaeologists announced they had found Herod's tomb. It was found at the spot Josephus described, with a broken stone box but no body inside. Some scholars agree with this discovery, while others think the tomb is too simple to be Herod's. Plans to make a copy of the tomb were later stopped because of concerns from other experts.

Opinions of his reign

Macrobius, a writer from ancient Rome, told a story about Herod ordering the death of some boys, including his own son. This led the Roman Emperor Augustus to make a harsh joke about Herod.

Historians have different views about Herod’s rule. Some think he was a cruel and selfish ruler who did many bad things to stay in power. They say he spent too much money on big building projects, which made life harder for the people he ruled. Others note that Herod respected some Jewish traditions in public, such as not putting human images on coins used by Jews and using priests in building projects.

Herod also built many important places, including parts of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, which people still visit today. Some historians think he tried to mix Roman and Jewish styles in his buildings, showing respect for both cultures.

Chronology

Further information: Herodian Kingdom of Judea

39 – 20 BCE

• 39–37 BCE – Herod fought against a leader named Antigonus. After winning in Jerusalem, Antigonus was removed from power.

• 36 BCE – Herod made his young brother-in-law the high priest because he was worried the people would choose him as king instead.

• 32 BCE – A war with the Nabatean people began, ending in victory a year later.

• 31 BCE – A big earthquake hit Judea. A leader named Octavian defeated another leader, and Herod decided to support him.

• 30 BCE – Octavian showed great support for Herod and confirmed him as the King of Judea.

• 29 BCE – Herod’s wife Mariamne learned he planned to remove her, so she stopped sleeping with him. Herod accused her of wrongdoings and removed her from power. Another woman then claimed to be queen, but Herod removed her as well.

• 28 BCE – Herod removed his brother-in-law from power for planning secret actions. Herod built theaters in Jerusalem for big celebrations.

• 27 BCE – Someone tried to harm Herod, but it failed. Herod built up a city named Samaria and renamed it Sebaste to honor the new leader Augustus.

• 25 BCE – Herod brought grain from Egypt to help people during a time of little food and sickness. He also reduced taxes for the people. He began building a big city called Caesarea Maritima and its harbor.

• 23 BCE – Herod built a palace in Jerusalem and a strong fortress called the Herodion. He married for a third time and changed who would be the next high priest.

• 22 BCE – Augustus gave Herod control over some areas to the northeast.

• c. 20 BCE – Herod began expanding the area around the Temple Mount and completely rebuilding the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

19 BCE – Death

• c. 18 BCE – Herod visited Rome for the second time.
• 14 BCE – Herod helped Jewish people living in Anatolia and Cyrene. Because things were going well in Judea, he reduced taxes again.
• 13 BCE – Herod named his first son Antipater as the main heir to the throne.
• 12 BCE – Herod thought two of his sons were planning to harm him, so he took them to a trial. Augustus helped them make peace. Herod changed his will so these sons could be next in line, but Antipater stayed the main heir.
• c. 10 BCE – The newly expanded temple in Jerusalem was opened. A war began again with the Nabatean people.
• 9 BCE – Caesarea Maritima was officially opened. Herod fell out of favor with Augustus because of the Nabatean war. Herod again worried one of his sons was planning to harm him.
• 8 BCE – Herod accused two of his sons of betraying him. He made peace with Augustus, who allowed him to deal with them.
• 7 BCE – A court in Beirut found Herod’s two sons guilty, and they were removed from power. Herod changed his will so Antipater would be the sole successor. Another son, Herod Philip, became second in line.
• 6 BCE – Herod took action against a group known as the Pharisees.
• 5 BCE – Antipater was accused of planning to harm Herod. Herod, now very ill, chose another son, Herod Antipas, to be his successor.
• Final year (4 or 1 BCE) – Some young followers of the Pharisees damaged a golden symbol at the Temple’s entrance. Herod arrested them. Augustus approved the removal of Antipater. Herod removed him from being heir and changed his will again: Herod Archelaus would rule part of Judea, while Herod Antipas and Philip would rule other areas. Another relative, Salome I, was given a small area to govern. Augustus did not confirm Herod’s changes, so no one received the title of King. However, the three sons were allowed to rule the areas Herod had chosen for them.

Family

Herod the Great likely had many children, especially with his later wives, and he probably had more daughters than we know about because female births were often not recorded at that time. Since having more than one wife was allowed by Jewish law, Herod’s later marriages were very likely all at the same time.