Difference between revisions of "Herod the Great" - New World Encyclopedia
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===Herod becomes King=== | ===Herod becomes King=== | ||
| − | In 40 B.C.E., Antigonos | + | Hyrcanus, who held the title of "ethnark" from Rome, now appointed Herod |
| + | tetrach" of Galilee. In 40 B.C.E., the zealot Antigonos — this time joined by powerful [[Parthian]] alllies — invaded Judea and marched on Jerusalem where he imprisoned both Hyrcanus and Herod's brother Fasael, who served as governor of that city. Herod came to their rescue, but Anitognes' forces were supported by religious Jews who considered Herod's family as half-breeds and welcomed Antigones as a forerunner of the [[Messiah]]. Herod was forced to flee, first to Idumea in the South, then to Arabia, and eventually coming to Rome. Hyrcanus, meanwhile, had been mutilated by his captors and deported to Babylon, while Fasael was dead, possibly by his own hand. The new Emperor, Mark Antony, received Herod's promise to win back the lost terriroty for the Empire, and was consequently given the title of King of Judaea by Antony with the Senate's approval. With Roman support, Herod finally conquered Judea and began to rule as king around 37 b.c.e.. He reigned for 34 years. | ||
| − | In 36, Herod named Mirianmne's 17-year-old brother [[Aristobulus III]], high priest, simultaneously rewarding the Hasmonean party and diminishing the possibillity that Aristobulus might challenge him as | + | Although recnet Hasmonean rulers had claimed the title of both king and high priest, Herod was ineligible to serve as priest since he was not of [[Levite]] blood. In 36, Herod named Mirianmne's 17-year-old brother [[Aristobulus III]], high priest, simultaneously rewarding the moderate Hasmonean party and diminishing the possibillity that Aristobulus — who had a better claim to the throne by lineage than Herod did — might challenge him as the legitimate Jewish ruler. A year later, Aristobulus drowned at a party. Although no evidence was produced against Herod, rumors persisted that he had eliminated a possible rival. |
| − | Herod further solidified his position in 32-31 by gaining victory in the war against the Nabateans, who had rebelled against his rule. Meanwhile in imperial politics, Octavian had defeated Mark Antony. Herod declared quickly declared his allegiance to Octavian, who, as Ceasar Augustus confirmd his as King of Judea in 30. | + | Anigones, however, still posed a major threat, both militarily and in terms of popular recognization. By January in 38 B.C.E., Hoerod finally rooted Anigones' army out of the highlands north of Jerusalem. Herod further solidified his position in 32-31 by gaining victory in the war against the Nabateans, who had rebelled against his rule. Meanwhile in imperial politics, Octavian had defeated Mark Antony. Herod declared quickly declared his allegiance to Octavian, who, as Ceasar Augustus confirmd his as King of Judea in 30. |
===Family Problems=== | ===Family Problems=== | ||
Revision as of 22:08, 19 June 2006
Herod I or Herod the Great (Hebrew: Hordos הוֹרְדוֹס) was a major Roman client-king of Judaea approximately 37-4 B.C.E. in Jerusalem.
Herod is best known from the Christian Bible, which gives an account of his being visited by wise men from the east who tell him of the impending birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem. Sensing a threat to his kingship, Herod reacts by slaughtering all the infant boys in the region in what has come to be known as the Massacre of the Innocents. Only in Matthew's Gospel (chapter 2) is this story mentioned, and it's historicity is much debated. The details of Herod's biography can best be gleaned from the works of the 1st century C.E. Jewish historiographer Josephus.
Herod has entered posterity as a ruthless ruler on account of his well known cruelty to close members of his own family in addition to the legend of the massacre at Bethlehem. However, he was also an able and far-sighted administrator who helped in building the economic might of Judaea — founding cities, expnading religious sites, developing agricultural projects, and creating a relatively stable government during his long reign.
His most famous project was rebuilding of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, greatly enlarging it and making it into the most beautiful in its time. Some of Herod's other achievements include: the rebuilding the water supplies for Jerusalem, rebuilding the Palace in Jerusalem, refurbishing and constructing fortresses such as Masada and Herodion, and creating new cities such as Caesarea Maritima. By extracting large quantities of asphalt from the Dead Sea, he shared with Cleopatra of Egypt a monopoly on this commodity's important use in ship building. He leased copper mines on Cyprus from the Emperor and held a dominant position in the production of bronze.
Herod's fatal flaw appears to have been a paranoid suspicion created by insecurity about his place on the throne. This led him to kill several of his sons, as well as a wife and a mother-in-law, and makes plausible the biblical story of the Massacre of the Innocents.
Biography
Family Background
Herod the Great arose from a wealthy, influential Idumaean family. The Idumaeans were the successors to the Edomites, descendants of Esau, of the Hebrew Bible. When the Maccabean ruler John Hyrcanus conquered Idumea in 130-140 B.C.E., he required all Idumaeans to obey Jewish law or to leave, and thus most Idumaeans thus converted to Judaism.
Herod identified himself Jewish, although this was subject to challenge on the basis of a strict interpretation of the scriptures. His father wasAntipater the Idumaean and his mother was Cypros, princess from Petra in Nabatea, east of the Jordan River. The family rubbed shoulders with the great in Rome, such as Pompey and Cassius. In 47 B.C.E. Antipater was appointed chief minister of Judea by Hyrcanus II, and he in turn appointed Herod governor of the Galilee at the age of 25. Antipater was poisoned in 43 B.C.E. and this event may have been at the root of Herod's later paradnoia about the his own safety on the throne.
Herod's own early career was a stormy one. He successfully put down a revolute by the Hamonean zealot Antigones, and for this he was rewarded by Hyrcanus by an offer of betrothal to his teenage granddaughter Mariamne. Hyrcanus himself having no male heir, the match was extremely attractive to Herod, as it greatly increased his credentials as a Jewish ruler. He banished his first wife and her three-year-old son and married Mariamne several years later.
Herod becomes King
Hyrcanus, who held the title of "ethnark" from Rome, now appointed Herod tetrach" of Galilee. In 40 B.C.E., the zealot Antigonos — this time joined by powerful Parthian alllies — invaded Judea and marched on Jerusalem where he imprisoned both Hyrcanus and Herod's brother Fasael, who served as governor of that city. Herod came to their rescue, but Anitognes' forces were supported by religious Jews who considered Herod's family as half-breeds and welcomed Antigones as a forerunner of the Messiah. Herod was forced to flee, first to Idumea in the South, then to Arabia, and eventually coming to Rome. Hyrcanus, meanwhile, had been mutilated by his captors and deported to Babylon, while Fasael was dead, possibly by his own hand. The new Emperor, Mark Antony, received Herod's promise to win back the lost terriroty for the Empire, and was consequently given the title of King of Judaea by Antony with the Senate's approval. With Roman support, Herod finally conquered Judea and began to rule as king around 37 b.c.e.. He reigned for 34 years.
Although recnet Hasmonean rulers had claimed the title of both king and high priest, Herod was ineligible to serve as priest since he was not of Levite blood. In 36, Herod named Mirianmne's 17-year-old brother Aristobulus III, high priest, simultaneously rewarding the moderate Hasmonean party and diminishing the possibillity that Aristobulus — who had a better claim to the throne by lineage than Herod did — might challenge him as the legitimate Jewish ruler. A year later, Aristobulus drowned at a party. Although no evidence was produced against Herod, rumors persisted that he had eliminated a possible rival.
Anigones, however, still posed a major threat, both militarily and in terms of popular recognization. By January in 38 B.C.E., Hoerod finally rooted Anigones' army out of the highlands north of Jerusalem. Herod further solidified his position in 32-31 by gaining victory in the war against the Nabateans, who had rebelled against his rule. Meanwhile in imperial politics, Octavian had defeated Mark Antony. Herod declared quickly declared his allegiance to Octavian, who, as Ceasar Augustus confirmd his as King of Judea in 30.
Family Problems
While Herod thus skillfully navigated the treacherous political waters at the highest levels, he now proved incapable of keeping his own house in order. In 29 Herod began to suspect that Miriame and her family were determined to dethrone him. He had Miriamme put on trial on a charge of adultery. Her mother, Alexandra, perhaps under duress, was a witness against her. Mariamne was convicted and reportedly deported herself with great dignity at her execution. She was 25 years of age, having given birth to five children in seven years. Alexandra soon retaliated against Herod by declaring herself Queen, claiming that Herod was mentally unfit to serve. Herod reportedly executed her without trial.
Continuing to fear a conspiracy from the Hasmonean faction, Herod then executed his brother-in-law Kostobar.
He marries his third wife, (23) also named Mariamne, the daughter of high priest Simon.
13 — Herod makes his firstborn son Antipater his primary heir in his will.
12 — Herod suspects Alexandros and Aristobulos, his sons from his marriage to the first Mariamne, of threatening his life. He takes them to Aquileia to be tried; but Augustus intervenes to reconcile the three.
He amends his will so that Alexander and Aristobulos rise in the royal succession, but Antipater would be higher in the succession.
Herod again suspects his son Alexander intends to kill him.
8 — Herod is reconciled with Augustus. This gives him permission to proceed legally against his sons, whom he now formally charges with high treason.
7 — Mariamne's sons are found guilty before a Roman court in Berytos (Beirut) and executed. Antipater is designated sole successor to the throne. In second place the succession incorporates Herod Philip, a son from the second Mariamne.
5 — Now Antipater is charged with intended murder of Herod and convicted, but the death sentence must be approved by the Emperor. Herod makes his son from his 4th marriage, Herod Antipas, his new successor. Herod becomes seriously ill.
As he has just executed his sole heir, Herod again changes his will: Archelaus (from the marriage with Malthace) will rule as titular King and overlord of the Herod the Great's entire kingdom, while Antipas (from Malthace) and Philip (from the fifth marriage with Cleopatra of Jerusalem) will govern as Tetrarchs over Galilee, Peraea, other territories.
Herod the Builder
Large festival is held in Jerusalem to celebrate the completion of Herod's newly built theatre and amphitheatre.
In 27, Herod rebuilt the fromer northern capital of Samaria to honour Augustus), renaming it Sebaste.
25 — Facing drought, famine, and epidemics, Herod imports grain from Egypt and starts an major aid programme. He also lowers taxes by one third.
23 — Herod builds a palace in Jerusalem and the fortress Herodian in Judaea.
22 — Building starts on Caesarea Maritima and its harbour. Rome rewards his successes by adding the regions Trachonitis, Batanaea and Auranitis to his rule.
20 — Probably date of the Herod's massive expansion of the starts on the Temple of Jerusalem.
18 — Herod travels for the second time to Rome.
14 — Herod give aid to the Jews in Anatolia and Cyrene. Taxes lowered in Judea, which is experiencing a period of prosperity.
Herod supports the financially strapped Olympic Games and ensures their future.
10 — The newly expanded Temple in Jerusalem is inaugurated. War against the Nabateans.
9 — The inauguration of Caesarea Maritima presents a marvellous spectacle. However, Herod's reputation with Augustus falls due to the continuing costly war against the Nabateans.
6 — Herod proceeds harshly against the Pharisees, some of whom had announced that the birth of the Messiah would mean the end of his rule. Their rivals, the Sadducees, gain the upper hand in Jerusalem politics and control of the Temple.
4 — Young Torah-students smash the golden Roman eagle over the main entrance of the Temple of Jerusalem after the Pharisee teachers claim it is a pagan symbol. Herod arrests them, brings them to court, sentences and punishes them. The emperor Augustus approves of the death penalty for Antipater, and the death sentence is execture.
Timeline of Herod's Reign
37 — Herod begins to reign as King of Judea.
36 — Herod names Aristobulus III, high priest.
35 — Aristobulus drowns at a party.
32 — Start of the war against Nabatea, with victory one year later.
31 — Octavian (Agustus) defeats Mark Antony. Herod declares his allegiance to Octavian.
30 — Octavian confirms Herod as King of Judaea.
29 — Herod puts Miriamme on trial on a charge of adultery. Herod's mother-in-law, Alexandra, declares herself Queen. Herod executes her without trial.
28 — Large festival is held in Jerusalem to celebrate the completion of the newly built theatre and amphitheatre. Herod executes his brother-in-law Kostobar for conspiracy.
27 — Herod rebuilds the northern city of Samaria to honour Augustus) and renames it Sebaste. An assassination attempt on Herod is fioled.
25 — Facing drought, Herod imports grain from Egypt and starts an major aid programe. He lowers taxes by one third.
23 — Herod builds a palace in Jerusalem and the fortress Herodian in Judaea. He marries his third wife, also named Mariamne, the daughter of high priest Simon.
22 — Building starts on Caesarea Maritima. Rome rewards Herod 'ssuccesses by adding the regions Trachonitis, Batanaea and Auranitis to his rule.
20 — Probable starting date of the expansion of the Temple of Jerusalem.
18 — Herod travels for the second time to Rome.
14 — Herod gives aid to the Jews in Anatolia and Cyrene. Taxes lowered in Judea.
13 — Herod makes his firstborn son Antipater his primary heir in his will.
12 — Herod supports the financially strapped Olympic Games and ensures their future. He the first Mariamne's sons of threatening his life. He takes them to Aquileia to be tried; but Augustus intervenes to reconcile the three.
10 — Temple in Jerusalem is inaugurated.
9 — The inauguration of Caesarea Maritima presents a marvellous spectacle. War against the Nabateans harms Herod's reputation with Augustus.
8 — Herod is reconciled with Augustus. He now formally charges his sons with high treason.
7 — Mariamne's sons are found guilty before a Roman court in Berytos (Beirut) and executed. Antipater is designated sole successor to the throne. In second place the succession incorporates Herod Philip, a son from the second Mariamne.
6 — Herod proceeds harshly against the Pharisees, fearing their hope in the coming Messiah.
5 — Antipater, Herod's first son, convicted of conspiracy to murder Herod and convicted. Herod makes his son from his 4th marriage, Herod Antipas, his new successor. Herod becomes seriously ill.
4 — Young Pharisees smash the golden Roman eagle over the main entrance of the Temple of Jerusalem. Herod crushes the rebellion. Antipater is executed. Herod names his son Archelaus to be his successor as king, with Antipas and Philip as tetrarchs. Herod probably dies in March. Agustus divides his kingdom between his three sons, but does not recognize Archelaus as king.
Marriages and Children
1. married Doris
- Son Antipater, executed 4 B.C.E.
2. married Mariamme (I.), daughter of Hasmonean Alexandros
- Son Alexandros, executed 7 B.C.E.
- Son Aristobulos, executed 7 B.C.E.
- Daughter Salampsio
- Daughter Cypros
3. married Mariamme (II.), daughter of High-Priest Simon
- Son Herod
4. married Malthace
- Son Herodes Archelaos - Ethnarch
- Son Herodes Antipas - Tetrarch
- Daughter Olympias
5. married Cleopatra of Jerusalem
- Son Herod Philip - Tetrarch
- Son Herod
6. married Pallas
- Son Phasael
7. married Phaidra
- Daughter Roxane
8. married Elpis
- Daughter Salome bint Herod I
9. married a cousin (name unknown)
- no known children
10. married a niece (name unknown)
- no known children
It is very probable that Herod had more children, especially with the last wives, and also that he had more daughters, as women among Romans at that time were not counted as important.
Herod in the New Testament
- See main article Massacre of the Innocents
Herod the Great plays a minor role in The Gospel according to Matthew (ch. 2), which describes an event known as the Massacre of the Innocents.
Shortly after the birth of Jesus, Magi from the East visit Herod to inquire the whereabouts of "the one having been born king of the Jews", because they had seen his star in the east and therefore wanted to pay him homage. Herod, who is himself King of Judea, is alarmed at the prospect of the new-born king usurping his rule.
Herod is advised by the all the assembled chief priests and scribes of the people that the Prophet had written that the "Anointed One" (Grk. ho christos) is to be born in Bethlehem of Judea. Herod therefore sends the Magi to Bethlehem, instructing them to search for the child, and that, when they find him, they should "report to me, so that I too may go and worship him". However, after they find Jesus, the Magi are warned in a dream not to report back to Herod. Similarly, Joseph is warned in a dream that Herod intends to kill Jesus, so Joseph and his family flee to Egypt in order to escape Herod. When Herod realizes he has been outwitted by the Magi, he gives orders to kill all boys of the age of two years and under in Bethlehem and its vicinity.
It should be noted, however, that the historical accuracy of this event is in question, since the author of the Gospel of Matthew may have had a religious motivation for presenting such events, and neither the other canonical gospel accounts nor any other document from the period makes any reference to such a massacre.
Herod the Great's son, Herod Antipas (who is also called Herod) is even more prominently featured in the New Testament for his role in Jesus's arrest and execution.
References and external links
- BBC Manchester/Discovery channel production broadcast 2004 March 14
- Family trees
- extract Britanicca Vol 5 page 879
- Encylopedia.com
- Outline of Great Books Volume I - King Herod: extracts from the works of Josephus
- Timeline 49 to 1 B.C.E.
ca:Herodes el gran de:Herodes der Große eo:Herodo la Granda es:Herodes I el Grande fi:Herodes fr:Hérode Ier le Grand he:הורדוס hu:Heródes it:Erode il Grande ja:ヘロデ大王 ko:헤로데대왕 lt:Erodas I Didysis nl:Herodes I no:Herodes den store pl:Herod I Wielki pt:Herodes I o Grande ru:Ирод I Великий sv:Herodes den store zh:大希律王
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