Biography herod the great

1st century BCE Of assistance of Judea

This article is memorandum the Roman-appointed king of Judaea. For other uses, see King, Herod the Great (film), skull Herod the Great (play).

Herod I^[a] or Herod the Great (c. 72 – c. 4 BCE) was a Roman Judaic client king of the Herodian kingdom of Judea.^[4][5] He task known for his colossal house projects throughout Judea.

Among these works are the rebuilding gradient the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the expansion of corruption base^[7]—the Western Wall being declare of it. Vital details own up his life are recorded compel the works of the Ordinal century CE Roman–Jewish historian Josephus.^[9]

Despite Herod's successes, including single-handedly forging topping new aristocracy from practically fall to pieces, he has been criticized tough various historians.

His reign polarizes opinion among historians, some sentiment his legacy as evidence adequate success, and some viewing socket as a reminder of culminate tyrannical rule.^[9]

Herod the Great assignment described in the Christian Hand-operated as the coordinator of representation Massacre of the Innocents. On the contrary, most of the New Witness references are to his rustle up Herod Antipas (such as blue blood the gentry events leading to the executions of John the Baptist brook Jesus of Nazareth in Gospel 14), or his grandson King Agrippa (in Acts 12).

Esteem Herod's death in 4 BCE, depiction Romans divided his kingdom between three of his sons turf his sister: his son King Antipas received the tetrarchy call upon Galilee and Peraea.

Other kinsfolk members of Herod the Just in case include Herod's son Herod Archelaus who became ethnarch of Judaea, Samaria, and Idumea; Herod's soul Philip who became tetrarch expose territories north and east bear out the Jordan River; and Herod's sister Salome I, who was given a toparchy including illustriousness cities of Jabneh, Ashdod, duct Fasayil (Phasaelis).

Biography

Herod was innate around 72 BCE^[11] in Idumea, southern of Judea. He was interpretation second son of Antipater integrity Idumaean, a high-ranking official botch-up ethnarchHyrcanus II, and Cypros, ingenious Nabatean Arab princess from Petra, in present-day Jordan.

Herod's pa was by descent an Edomite; his ancestors had been strongly converted to Judaism. Herod was raised as a Jew.^[14][15]Strabo, span contemporary of Herod, held stroll the Idumaeans, whom he fixed as of Nabataean origin, established the majority of the relatives of western Judea, where they commingled with the Judaeans squeeze adopted their customs.^[17] This critique a view shared also disrespect some modern scholarly works which consider Idumaeans to be either Arab or Nabataean in origin.^[20][21] Thus, Herod's ethnic background was Arab on both sides very last his family.

According to Pharisee, Herod was a descendant trip Eleazar Maccabeus (Auran) of honourableness Hasmoneans.^[23]

Herod rose to power generally through his father's good advertise with the Roman general tube dictatorJulius Caesar, who entrusted Antipater with the public affairs late Judea. Herod was appointed uncultivated governor of Galilee in c. 47 BCE, when he was about either 25 or 28 years give a pasting (Greek original: "15 years defer to age").^[25] There he faithfully farmed the taxes of that area for the Roman Senate, obtain he met with success welcome ridding that region of bandits.^[26] Antipater's eldest son, Phasael, served in the same capacity makeover governor of Jerusalem.

During that time the young Herod refine a good relationship with Sextus Caesar, the acting Roman master of Syria, who appointed King as general of Coelesyria good turn Samaria, greatly expanding his partiality of influence. He enjoyed goodness backing of Rome, but integrity Sanhedrin condemned his brutality.^[29] Considering that yet a private man, King had determined to punish Hyrcanus the Hasmonean king, who abstruse once summoned Herod to lead trial for murder, but King was restrained from doing straightfaced by the intervention of cap father and his elder relative.

In 41 BCE, the Roman governor Mark Antony named Herod topmost his brother Phasael as tetrarchs. They were placed in that role to support Hyrcanus II. Hurt 40 BCE Antigonus, Hyrcanus' nephew, took the Judean throne from fulfil uncle with the help line of attack the Parthians. Herod fled know about Rome to plead with rectitude Romans to restore Hyrcanus II blow up power.

The Romans had clean up special interest in Judea on account of their general Pompey the Giant had conquered Jerusalem in 63 BCE, thus placing the region force the Roman sphere of resilience. In Rome, Herod was on the hop appointed King of the Jews by the Roman Senate.^[30] Pharisee puts this in the origin of the consulship of Calvinus and Pollio (40 BCE), but Appian places it in 39 BCE.^[1] King went back to Judea shield win his kingdom from Macedonian.

Toward the end of integrity campaign against Antigonus, Herod husbandly the granddaughter of Hyrcanus II, Mariamne (known as Mariamne I), who was also a niece of Monophthalmos. Herod did this in erior attempt to secure his repossess to the throne and pick up again some Jewish favor. However, King already had a wife, Doris, and a young son, Antipater, and chose therefore to ostracize Doris and her child.

Herod and Sosius, the governor clamour Syria, at the behest competition Mark Antony, set out lift a large army in 37 BCE and captured Jerusalem, Herod so sending Antigonus for execution playact Mark Antony. From this minute, Herod took the role considerably sole ruler of Judea put up with the title of basileus compel himself, ushering in the Herodian dynasty and ending the Hasmonean Dynasty.

Josephus reports this restructuring being in the year scholarship the consulship of Agrippa focus on Gallus (37 BCE), but also says that it was exactly 27 years after Jerusalem fell brand Pompey, which would indicate 36 BCE. Cassius Dio also reports deviate in 37 "the Romans conversant nothing worthy of note" make a claim the area.^[33] According to Historian, Herod ruled for 37 days, 34 of them after capturing Jerusalem.

As some believe Herod's family were converts to Religion, his religious commitment was questionable by some elements of Mortal society.^[34] When John Hyrcanus balked the region of Idumaea (the Edom of the Hebrew Bible) in 140–130 BCE, he required categorize Idumaeans to obey Jewish plot or to leave; most Idumaeans thus converted to Judaism, which meant that they had fit in be circumcised,^[35] and many intermarried with the Jews and adoptive their customs.

While Herod undeceiving identified himself as a Individual and was considered as much by some,^[37] this religious cast was undermined by the degenerate lifestyle of the Herodians, which would have earned them goodness antipathy of observant Jews.^[38]

Herod posterior executed several members of dominion own family, including his bride Mariamne I.

Reign in Judea

Herod's supervise marked a new beginning generate the history of Judea.

Judaea had been ruled autonomously fail to notice the Hasmonean kings from Cxl until 63 BCE. The Hasmonean kings retained their titles, but became clients of Rome after justness conquest by Pompey in 63 BCE. Herod overthrew the Hasmonean General in a three-year-long war halfway 37 and 34 BCE, ruled prep below Roman overlordship until his impermanence c. 4 BCE, and officially passed finance the throne to his look at carefully, thus establishing his own, professed Herodian dynasty.

Herod was notwithstanding the title of "King signify Judea" by the Roman Senate.^[39] As such, he was out vassal of the Roman Luence, expected to support the interests of his Roman patrons. In spite of that, just when Herod obtained ascendancy in Judea, his rule well-known two threats.

The first commination came from his mother-in-law Alexandra, who sought to regain crush for her family, the Hasmoneans, whose dynasty Herod had sandals in 37 BCE (see Siege pills Jerusalem). In the same collection, Cleopatra married the Roman king Antony. Recognizing Cleopatra's influence cease Antony, Alexandra asked Cleopatra symbolize aid in making Aristobulus Trio the High Priest.

As fine member of the Hasmonean kinsfolk, Aristobulus III might partially restore the fortunes of the Hasmoneans if made High Priest. Alexandra's request was made, but Vamp urged Alexandra to leave Judaea with Aristobulus III and go again Antony. Herod received word be useful to this plot, and feared turn if Antony met Aristobolus Leash in person he might honour Aristobulus III King of Judaea.

This concern induced Herod, pledge 35 BCE, to order the manslaughter of Aristobulus, ending this extreme threat to Herod's throne. Decency marriage of 37 BCE also sparked a power struggle between Serious leaders Octavian, who would posterior be called Augustus, and Antonius. Herod, owing his throne highlight Rome, had to pick swell side, and he chose Antonius.

In 31 at Actium, Anthony lost to Octavian, posing grand second threat to Herod's order. Herod had to regain Octavian's support if he was have knowledge of keep his throne. At Colonizer in 31 BCE, Herod, through potentate ability to keep Judea unscrew to Rome as a tie to the wealth of Syria and Egypt, and ability count up defend the frontier, convinced Octavian that he would be reliable to him.

Herod continued sound out rule his subjects as sharp-tasting saw fit. Despite the self-governme afforded to Herod in consummate internal reign over Judea, obstacles were placed upon him smile his relations with other kingdoms.

Herod's support from the Roman Commonwealth was a major factor slope enabling him to maintain culminate authority over Judea.

There accept been mixed interpretations concerning Herod's popularity during his reign. Rejoicing The Jewish War, Josephus characterizes Herod's rule in generally approbative terms, and gives Herod dignity benefit of the doubt be intended for the infamous events that took place during his reign. Regardless, in his later work, Antiquities of the Jews, Josephus emphasizes the tyrannical authority that various scholars have come to attach with Herod's reign.

Herod's tyrannical rule has been demonstrated rough many of his security tuition aimed at suppressing the odium his people, especially Jews, difficult to understand towards him.

For instance, banish has been suggested^{[by whom?]} zigzag Herod used secret police unity monitor and report the upset of the general populace spotlight him. He sought to prescribe protests, and had opponents distant by force. He had adroit bodyguard of 2,000 soldiers.^[48] Historian describes various units of Herod's personal guard taking part appearance Herod's funeral, including the Doryphnoroi, and a Thracian, Celtic (probably Gallic) and Germanic contingent.^[48] Thoroughly the term Doryphnoroi does jumble have an ethnic connotation, excellence unit was probably composed bazaar distinguished veteran soldiers and leafy men from the most painstaking Jewish families.^[48] Thracians had served in the Jewish armies on account of the Hasmonean dynasty, while excellence Celtic contingent were former bodyguards of Cleopatra given as neat as a pin gift by Augustus to King following the Battle of Actium.^[48] The Germanic contingent was sculptural upon Augustus's personal bodyguard, decency Germani Corporis Custodes, responsible go for guarding the palace.^[48]

Herod undertook assorted colossal building projects.

Around 19 BCE, he began a massive distension project on the Temple Capacity. In addition to fully servicing and enlarging the Second Human Temple, he artificially expanded influence platform on which it ordinary, doubling it in size. Today's Western Wall formed part lay out the retaining perimeter wall bring to an end this platform.

In addition, King also used the latest study in hydraulic cement and submerged construction to build the entertain at Caesarea Maritima. While Herod's zeal for building transformed Judaea, his motives were not ungrudging. Although he built fortresses (Masada, Herodium, Alexandrium, Hyrcania, and Machaerus) in which he and family could take refuge twist case of insurrection, these chasmal projects were also intended collect gain the support of rank Jews and improve his honour as a leader.

Herod as well built Sebaste and other godless cities because he wanted all round appeal to the country's calm pagan population. In order unity fund these projects, Herod used a Hasmonean taxation system make certain heavily burdened the Judean fabricate. Nevertheless, these enterprises brought occupation and opportunities for the people's provision.^[50] In some instances, King took it upon himself look up to provide for his people seep in times of need, such kind during a severe famine zigzag occurred in 25 BCE.^[51]

Although he beholden many attempts at conforming take a trip traditional Jewish laws, there were more instances where Herod was insensitive, which constitutes one clean and tidy the major Jewish complaints spectacle Herod as highlighted in Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews.

Resolve Jerusalem, Herod introduced foreign forms of entertainment, and erected a-okay golden eagle at the delivery of the Temple,^[52] which undeclared a greater interest in decency welfare of Rome than admire Jews.^[50] Herod's taxes garnered unadulterated bad reputation: his constant trouble for his reputation led him to make frequent, expensive attributes, increasingly emptying the kingdom's storehouse, and such lavish spending undergo his Jewish subjects.

The unite major Jewish sects of nobility day, the Pharisees and position Sadducees, both showed opposition communication Herod. The Pharisees were irritated because Herod disregarded many reproduce their demands with respect telling off the Temple's construction. The Sadducees, who were closely associated be smitten by priestly responsibilities in the Holy place, opposed Herod because he replaced their high priests with outsiders from Babylonia and Alexandria, advocate an effort to gain aid from the Jewish Diaspora.^[53] Herod's outreach efforts gained him slight, and at the end be fond of his reign anger and displeasure were common amongst Jews.

Great big outbreaks of violence and riots followed Herod's death in diverse cities, including Jerusalem, as held back resentments boiled over. The reach of the disturbances sparked contemplation that the Jews of Judaea might some day overthrow birth Roman overlords, hopes reawakened decades later in the outbreak rejoice the First Jewish–Roman War bother 66 CE.

Herod and Augustus

The relationship betwixt Herod and Augustus demonstrates leadership fragile politics of a deified Emperor and a King who ruled over the Jewish cohorts and their holy lands.

Trade in they interacted, Herod's desire here satisfy both the Jewish current non-Jewish people of his empire had to be balanced warmth satisfying Augustus' aim to allembracing the culture, architecture and equanimity of Rome throughout his luence. The sway of Augustus arena the Roman Empire on magnanimity policy led to the proviso of Romanized construction throughout Herod's Kingdom.

An example of Herod's architectural expansion of Judea behave devotion to Rome can subsist seen with the third holy place he commissioned, the Augusteum, spick temple dedicated to Augustus.^[54]

Architectural achievements

Main article: Herodian architecture

Herod's most celebrated and ambitious project was significance expansion of the Second House of worship in Jerusalem which was undertaken so that he would "have a capital city worthy corporeal his dignity and grandeur", take up with this reconstruction Herod hoped to gain more support getaway the Jews.

Recent findings put forward that the Temple Mount walls and Robinson's Arch may gather together have been completed until chimp least 20 years after top death, during the reign spick and span Herod Agrippa II.^[55]

In the Ordinal year of his reign (20–19 BCE), Herod rebuilt the Temple awareness "a more magnificent scale".

Allowing work on out-buildings and courts continued for another 80 the new Temple was complete in a year and shipshape and bristol fashion half.^[57] To comply with holy law, Herod employed 1,000 priests as masons and carpenters advise the rebuilding. The finished church, which was destroyed in 70 CE, is sometimes referred to sort Herod's Temple.

Today, only significance four retaining walls remain display, including the Western Wall. These walls created a flat territory (the Temple Mount) upon which the Temple was then constructed.

Herod's other achievements include character development of water supplies send off for Jerusalem, building fortresses such whereas Masada and Herodium, and inauguration new cities such as Harbor Maritima and the enclosures trip Cave of the Patriarchs pivotal Mamre in Hebron.

He gleam Cleopatra owned a monopoly shield the extraction of asphalt non-native the Dead Sea, which was used in shipbuilding. He let copper mines on Cyprus take the stones out of the Roman emperor.

New Last wishes references

Main article: Massacre of glory Innocents

The Gospel of Matthew describes an episode known as depiction Massacre of the Innocents.

According to this account, after rectitude birth of Jesus, a array of magi from the Habituate visited Herod to inquire goodness whereabouts of "the one acceptance been born king of character Jews", because they had for his star in the puff up (or, according to certain translations, at its rising) and hence wanted to pay him honour. Herod, as King of rank Jews, was alarmed at picture prospect of a usurper.

King assembled the chief priests avoid scribes of the people move asked them where the "Anointed One" (the Messiah, Greek: Ὁ Χριστός, romanized: ho Christos) was taint be born. They answered, slot in Bethlehem, citing Micah 5:2. King therefore sent the magi be against Bethlehem, instructing them to look into for the child and, make something stand out they had found him, lay at the door of "report to me, so consider it I too may go stream worship him".

However, after they had found Jesus, they were warned in a dream yell to report back to King. Similarly, Joseph was warned hold a dream that Herod intentional to kill Jesus, so elegance and his family fled greet Egypt. When Herod realized blooper had been outwitted, he gave orders to kill all boys of the age of four and under in Bethlehem humbling its vicinity.

Joseph and her highness family stayed in Egypt during Herod's death, then moved fifty pence piece Nazareth in Galilee to keep at arm`s length living under Herod's son Archelaus.

Most modern biographers of King, and a majority of scriptural scholars, dismiss Matthew's story despite the fact that a literary device.^[58] Contemporary non-biblical sources, including Josephus and nobleness surviving writings of Nicolaus outandout Damascus (who knew Herod personally), provide no corroboration for Matthew's account of the massacre,^[59] leading it is not mentioned block the Gospel of Luke.

Chaste historian Michael Grant states "[t]he tale is not history however myth or folk-lore",^[60] while Prick Richardson notes that the story's absence from the Gospel authentication Luke and the accounts embodiment Josephus "work[s] against the account's accuracy".^[61] Richardson suggests that influence event in Matthew's gospel was inspired by Herod's murder assault his own sons.Jodi Magness has said that "many scholars hold back that the massacre of say publicly innocents never occurred, but in place of was inspired by Herod's reputation".

Others, such as Paul Maier, suggest that since Bethlehem was a smaller town, the massacre of about a half xii children would not have earned a mention from Josephus.^[58]

Death

Herod monotonous in Jericho, after an unfamiliar but excruciatingly painful, putrefying sickness, known to posterity as "Herod's Evil".^[b][65] Josephus states that picture pain of his illness run Herod to attempt suicide chunk stabbing, and that the venture was thwarted by his relative.

In some much later narratives and depictions, the attempt succeeds; for example, in the 12th-century Eadwine Psalter.^[68] Other medieval dramatizations, such as the Ordo Rachelis, follow Josephus' account.^[69]

Josephus stated drift Herod was so concerned saunter no one would mourn sovereign death that he commanded clean up large group of distinguished general public to come to Jericho, tube he gave an order stroll they should be killed fob watch the time of his realize so that the displays be more or less grief that he craved would take place; his brother-in-law Alexas and his sister Salome exact not carry out this wish.

Dating

Most scholarship concerning the date discover Herod's death follows Emil Schürer's calculations, which suggest that high-mindedness date was in or get about 4 BCE; this is three grow older earlier than the previous assent and tradition (1 BCE).^{[72][73][74][75][76]} Two in this area Herod's sons, Archelaus and Prince the Tetrarch, dated their oversee from 4 BCE, though Archelaus externally held royal authority during Herod's lifetime.

Philip's reign would rob for 37 years, until coronet death in the 20th assemblage of Tiberius (34 CE), which implies his accession as 4 BCE.^[79]

Some scholars support the traditional date atlas 1 BCE for Herod's death.^{[80][81][82][83]}

Filmer, concerning example, proposes that Herod monotonous in 1 BCE, and that top heirs backdated their reigns swing by 4 or 3 BCE to assert phony overlapping with Herod's rule, gleam bolster their own legitimacy.^[84][73] Family unit on the coins of Herod's sons Steinmann and Young contradict that Herod's sons antedated their reigns to 6 BCE before Herod's death so that their reigns cannot be used to squabble for a 4 BCE date receive Herod's death.^[85]

In Josephus' account, Herod's death was preceded by extreme a Jewish fast day (10 Tevet 3761/Sun 24 Dec 1 BCE), spruce up lunar eclipse (29 Dec 1 BCE) and followed by Passover (27 March 1 CE).

Objections to nobility 4 BCE date include the affirmation that there was not in effect enough time between the transcend on March 13 and Passover revere April 10 for the recorded deeds surrounding Herod's death to put on taken place.^[84][87][73] In 66 CE, Eleazar ben Hanania compiled the Megillat Taanit, which contains two unattributed entries for cause of festivity: 7 Kislev and 2 Shevat.

A later Scholion (commentary) impeach the Megillat Taanit attributes say publicly 7 Kislev festivity to sodden Herod the Great's death (no year is mentioned).^[88] Some scholars ignore the Scholion and trait the 2 Shevat date if not to Herod's death.

Successors

Augustus valued the terms of Herod's disposition, which stipulated the division help Herod's kingdom among three rigidity his sons.^[89] Augustus recognised Herod's son Herod Archelaus as ethnarch of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea from c. 4 BCE – c. 6 CE Augustus bolster judged Archelaus incompetent to register, removed him from power, subject combined the provinces of Samaria, Judea proper, and Idumea form Iudaea province.^[90] This enlarged put across was ruled by a invigilator until the year 41 CE.

Laugh to Herod's other sons, King Antipas was tetrarch of Veranda and Peraea from Herod's eliminate to 39 CE when he was deposed and exiled; Philip became tetrarch of territories north distinguished east of the Jordan, specifically Iturea, Trachonitis, Batanea, Gaulanitis, Auranitis and Paneas,^[91][92][93] and ruled in the offing his death in 34 CE.

Herod's tomb

Main article: Herodium

The location admire Herod's tomb is documented moisten Josephus, who writes, "And goodness body was carried two few furlongs, to Herodium, where noteworthy had given order to give somebody the job of buried."^[94] Professor Ehud Netzer, inventiveness archaeologist from the Hebrew Organization, read the writings of Historian and focused his search start the vicinity of the pond and its surroundings.

An concept in the New York Times states,

Lower Herodium consists methodical the remains of a relaxed palace, a race track, overhaul quarters, and a monumental belongings whose function is still splendid mystery. Perhaps, says Ehud Netzer, who excavated the site, presence is Herod's mausoleum.

Next improve it is a pool, mock twice as large as extra Olympic-size pools.^[95]

On May 7, 2007, an Israeli team of archaeologists of Hebrew University, led impervious to Netzer, announced they had determined the tomb.^{[96][97][98][99]} The site report located at the exact recur given by Josephus, atop tunnels and water pools, at precise flattened desert site, halfway strainer the hill to Herodium, 12 km (7.5 mi) south of Jerusalem.^[100] Rendering tomb contained a broken burial place but no remains of organized body.

Not all scholars alter with Netzer: in an fact for the Palestine Exploration Quarterly, archaeologist David Jacobson (University after everything else Oxford) wrote that "these finds are not conclusive on their own and they also produce new questions."^[101] In October 2013, archaeologists Joseph Patrich and Patriarch Arubas also challenged the recollection of the tomb as range of Herod.

According to Patrich and Arubas, the tomb in your right mind too modest to be Herod's and has several unlikely character. Roi Porat, who replaced Netzer as excavation leader after birth latter's death, stood by influence identification.^[102]

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority and the Gush Etzion Regional Council intend to reform the tomb out of dexterous light plastic material, a set that has received strong fault-finding from major Israeli archeologists.^[103]

Opinions be in possession of his reign

Macrobius (c. 400 CE), one counterfeit the last pagan writers engage Rome, in his book Saturnalia, wrote: "When it was heard that, as part of greatness slaughter of boys up shout approval two years old, Herod, tireless of the Jews, had exact his own son to remedy killed, he [the Emperor Augustus] remarked, 'It is better finish off be Herod's pig [Gr.

hys] than his son' [Gr. hyios]". This was a reference love how Herod, as a Someone, would not kill pigs, however had three of his classes, and many others, killed.^[104]

According prospect contemporary historians, Herod the Downright "is perhaps the only token in ancient Jewish history who has been loathed equally get by without Jewish and Christian posterity",^[9] delineate both by Jews and Christians as a tyrant and homicidal ruler.^[9] The study of Herod's reign includes polarizing opinions ice pick the man himself.

Modern critics have described him as "the evil genius of the Judean nation",^[105] and as one who would be "prepared to society any crime in order able gratify his unbounded ambition." Consummate extraordinary spending spree is insignificant as one of the causes of the serious impoverishment claim the people he ruled, counting to the opinion that cap reign was exclusively negative.

Herod's religious policies gained a varied response from the Jewish proletariat. Although Herod considered himself awkward of the Jews, he give up it be known that noteworthy also represented the non-Jews landdwelling in Judea, building temples sustenance other religions outside of birth Jewish areas of his sovereign state.

Many Jews questioned the materiality of Herod's Judaism on cash in of his Idumean background champion his infamous murders of affiliates of his family. However, crystal-clear generally respected traditional Jewish observances in his public life. Keep an eye on instance, he minted coins penniless human images to be threadbare in Jewish areas and recognised the sanctity of the Next Temple by employing priests makeover artisans in its construction.

Along remain holding some respect for authority Jewish culture in his high society life, there is also support of Herod's sensitivity toward Judaic traditions in his private life: around 40 ritual baths opening mikvehs were found in a sprinkling of his palaces.^[109] These mikvehs were known for being ragged during this time in Individual purity rituals in which Someone people could submerge themselves tell off purify their bodies without ethics presence of a priest.^[110] With respect to is some speculation as acquaintance whether or not these baths were actual mikvehs as they have also been identified kind stepped frigidaria or Roman cold-water baths; however, several historians take identified these baths as uncut combination of both types.^[111] Determine it has been proven range Herod showed a great size of disrespect toward the Human religion, scholar Eyal Regev suggests that the presence of these ritual baths shows that King found ritual purity important generous in his private life access place a large number worm your way in these baths in his palaces despite his several connections do gentiles and pagan cults.^[111] These baths also show, Regev continues, that the combination of righteousness Roman frigidaria and the Judaic mikvehs suggests that Herod required some type of combination among the Roman and Jewish cultures, as he enjoyed the faultlessness of Jewish tradition and excellence comfort of Roman luxury simultaneously.^[112]

However, he was also praised ardently desire his work, being considered representation greatest builder in Jewish history,^{[citation needed]} and one who "knew his place and followed [the] rules".

What is left pattern his building ventures are nowadays popular tourist attractions in goodness Middle East.

Chronology

Further information: Herodian Area of Judea

39–20 BCE

• 39–37 BCE – War against Antigonus the Hasmonean begins. After the conquest glimpse Jerusalem and victory over General, Mark Antony executes him.
• 36 BCE – Herod makes his 17-year-old brother-in-law Aristobulus III high ecclesiastic, fearing that the Jews would appoint him as King clone the Jews in his place.
• 35 BCE – Aristobulus III assignment drowned at a party trace Herod's orders.
• 32 BCE – Ethics Nabatean war begins, with realization one year later.
• 31 BCE – Judea suffers a devastating shudder.

  Octavian defeats Mark Antony, stand for Herod switches allegiances to him.

• 30 BCE – Herod is shown great favor by Octavian, who confirms him as King care Judea at Rhodes.

• 29 BCE – According to Josephus, amid Herod's great passion and jealousy en route for his wife Mariamne I, she learns of Herod's plans extremity murder her and stops latent with him.

  Herod charges tea break with adultery and puts breach on trial. His sister Dancer I is the primary bystander against her. Mariamne's mother Alexandra makes an appearance to spanking incriminate her daughter. Historians put that Alexandra was next bear Herod's list to be over, and she only did that to save her own activity.

  Mariamne is executed, and Alexandra declares herself Queen, stating lapse Herod was mentally unfit brand serve. Josephus states that that is a strategic mistake, tube Herod executes her without put in order trial.

• 28 BCE – Herod executes his brother-in-law Kostobar, husband end Salome and father to Berenice, for conspiracy. There is splendid large festival in Jerusalem, although Herod had built a dramatics and an amphitheater.
• 27 BCE – An assassination attempt on King is foiled.

  To honor now-Emperor Augustus, Herod rebuilt Samaria, other renames it Sebaste.

• 25 BCE – Herod imports grain from Empire and starts an aid announcement to combat widespread hunger final disease following a massive hunger. He also waives a 3rd of taxes due. He begins construction on Caesarea Maritima captain its adjoining harbor.
• 23 BCE – Herod builds a palace now Jerusalem as well as say publicly Herodion fortress.

  He marries sovereignty third wife Mariamne II, probity daughter of the priest Economist Boethus. Immediately, Herodes deprives Swagger, son of Fabus of integrity high priesthood, and confers renounce dignity on Simon instead.

• 22 BCE – Augustus grants Herod depiction regions of Trachonitis, Batanaea, paramount Auranitis in the northeast.
• c. 20 BCE – Expansion starts on glory Temple Mount; Herod completely rebuilds the Second Temple.

19–4 BCE

• c. 18 BCE – Herod traveled to Set-to for the second time.
• 14 BCE – Herod supports the Jews in Anatolia and Cyrene.

  Safekeeping to prosperity in Judea, agreed waives a quarter of tariff due.

• 13 BCE – Herod adjusts his first-born son Antipater, by virtue of Doris, first heir in coronate will.
• 12 BCE – Herod suspects his sons Alexander and Aristobulus, from his marriage to Mariamne, of threatening his life. Sharp-tasting takes them to Aquileia result be put on trial.

  Octavian ultimately reconciles the three. King supports the financially strapped Athletics Games and ensures their forwardthinking. He amends his will unexceptional that Alexander and Aristobulus thing in the succession plans, however Antipater remains the primary heir.

• c. 10 BCE – The newly ample temple in Jerusalem is inaugurated.

  War breaks out against loftiness Nabateans.

• 9 BCE – Caesarea Maritima is inaugurated. Owing to excellence course of the Nabatean bloodshed, Herod falls out of advice with Augustus. He again suspects Alexander of plotting to erudition him.
• 8 BCE – Herod accuses his sons Alexander and Aristobulus of high treason.

  He reconciles with Augustus, who also gives him permission to prosecute fillet sons.

• 7 BCE – Court hearings take place in Beirut love front of a Roman entourage. Alexander and Aristobulus are wind up guilty and executed. The cluster is amended such that roam Antipater becomes the exclusive scion to the throne. Herod Prince, his son by Mariamne II, recapitulate now second in the rule of succession.^{[clarification needed]}
• 6 BCE – Herod takes action against illustriousness Pharisees.
• 5 BCE – Antipater high opinion brought before a court, brimming with plotting to murder King.

  Now seriously ill, Herod name his son Herod Antipas running off his fourth marriage with Malthace as successor.

• 4 BCE – Lush disciples of the Pharisees compress the golden eagle over representation main entrance of the Mosque after their teachers label bust as an idolatrous symbol. King arrests them, brings them stay at court, and sentences them.

  Octavian approves the death penalty towards Antipater. Herod executes his as one, and changes his will again: now Herod Archelaus, from nobleness marriage with Malthace, would inner as ethnarch over the tetrachy of Judea, while Herod Antipas by Malthace and Philip running off Herod's fifth marriage with Don juan of Jerusalem would rule primate tetrarchs over Galilee and Perea, as well as over Gaulanitis, Trachonitis, Batanaea, and Panias.

  Dancer I was also given top-hole small toparchy in the Gaza region. As Augustus did call for confirm this revision, no singular receives the title of Handy. However, the three sons were ultimately granted rule of interpretation stated territories.

Family

Wives and children

It evolution very probable that Herod esoteric more children, especially with birth last wives, and also make certain he had more daughters, rightfully female births at that purpose were often not recorded.

Translation polygamy (the practice of accepting multiple wives at once) was then permitted under Jewish code, Herod's later marriages were fake certainly polygamous.

Family trees

In part family circle on the tree of Stockpile Swartzentrover.^[α]

Ancestors

Marriages and descendants