Herod the Great
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 the infant boys in the area, 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 its historicity is much debated.
Herod's ruthlessness as a ruler, however, is well documented. He executed several members of his own family — including his wife, mother-in-law and several sons — and also killed numerous other political enemies as well as 45 members of the Jewish religious council in Jerusalem. However, during his long reign, he proved himself to be a capable and far-sighted administrator who navigated the treacherous waters of the Roman Empire during the reigns of Mark Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavius. His leadership also helped to build the economic might of Judaea — founding cities, expanding religious sites, developing agricultural projects, and creating a relatively stable government during a particularly tumultuous period.
Herod's most famous project was rebuilding of the Temple of Jerusalem, greatly enlarging it and making it into the most beautiful in its time. Some of his 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.
Herod's fatal flaw appears to have been a paranoid suspicion created by insecurity about his place on the throne. Whether he could have survived without this quality cannot be known. However, it has earned him a place in history more for his cruelty than for his many positive accomplishments.
Biography
Family Background
Herod the Great arose from a wealthy, influential Idumaean family. The Idumaeans were the successors to the Edomites, the descendants of Esau according to the Hebrew Bible. When the Jewish Hasmonean ruler John Hyrcanus I 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 as Jewish, although his pedigree as a Jew was challenged by his stricter Jewish opponents throughout his career. His father was Antipater 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 obsession about his own safety on the throne.
Herod's early career was a stormy one. He successfully put down a revolt by the Hasmonean zealot Antigonus, and for this he was rewarded by Hyrcanus with 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 Hasmonean zealot Antigonus — 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 Anigonus' forces, supported by religious Jews who considered Herod's family as half-breeds, successfully defended the city, forcing Herod's army to flee. He first marched to Idumea in the South, then to Arabia, and eventually came 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. Herod was consequently given the title of King of Judaea by Antony with the Senate's unanimous approval. Prevailing after a long struggle against Antigonus and the Parthians with Roman support, Herod finally conquered Judea and began to rule as king around 37 B.C.E., with Miramne as his queen. Antigonus was captured taken to Rome in chains by the general Sosius, where he was executed. Herod then executed 45 pro-Antigonus members of the Jewish council or Sanhedrin in Jerusalem.
Although 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. He initially appointed a young man of appropriate lineage named Ananel to the post. This, however, outraged the Hasmonean elites, who favored Miramne's brother Aristobulus III. Miramne's mother, Alexandra, went so far as to appeal to her friend Cleopatra of Egypt in matter; and since Cleopatra had substantial influence with Herod's patron Mark Antony, Herod was forced to captiulate. Ananel was deposed, and in 36, Herod named the 17-year-old Aristobulus as high priest. A year later, Aristobulus drowned at a party, a victim of drunken horseplay. With Herod under suspicion, Antony summoned him to explain the circumstances. Not only did Herod resent being forced to appoint Aristobulus, but the young Hasmonean also represented a possible claimant to the throne as the direct descendant of Hyrcanus. Antony, however, declared the matter to be an internal affair under Herod's jurisdiction, and Herod returned to Jerusalem confident of continued Roman support.
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 quickly declared his allegiance to Octavian, who, as Ceasar Augustus confirmd his as King of Judea in 30 B.C.E.
Family and Succession 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 Miriamne 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, reportedly deporting 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 had her executed her without trial. Continuing to fear a conspiracy from the Hasmonean faction, Herod then executed Miriamne's brother Kostobar.
In 23 B.C.E., Herod married his third wife, also named Mariamne, the daughter of the new high priest Simon. A decade later, Herod accused Alexandros and Aristobulos, his sons from his marriage to the first Mariamne, of threatening his life. Augustus himself intervened to forestall their trial, but by 7 B.C.E., they had been convicted and executed. Antipater, Herod's son from his first marriage, was designated sole successor to the throne, but soon he too was charged with plotting Herod's murder. A younger son, Herod Antipas, was named his new successor. Antipater was executed c. 4 B.C.E. Herod named his son Archelaus to be his successor as king, with Antipas and Philip as tetrarchs. After Herod's death Agustus divided his kingdom between these three sons of Herod, but did not recognize Archelaus as king.
Herod the Builder
While Herod was clearly a failure as a family man, his successes as a builder were substantial. In (date) he held a large festival in Jerusalem to celebrate the completion of a newly built theatre and amphitheatre. In 27, he completed the rebuilding the fromer northern capital of Samaria to honour Augustus), renaming it Sebaste.
In 25, he carried out a massive program of grain importation from Egtypt and thus helped stave off the effects of drought, famine, and epidemics. At the same time, he was actually able to lowers taxes by one third. In 23, Herod opened his own palace in Jerusalem, naming it the Antonia in honor of his Roman patron. He also opened the stragegic the fortress called the Herodian, guarding the southern approaches to Jerusalem. (check)
Building began on the impressive port city of Caesarea Maritima in 23 B.C.E. Around this time Rome rewarded Herod's successes by adding the regions Trachonitis, Batanaea and Auranitis to his rule. His most famous building project, the massive expansion Temple of Jerusalem, began around 20 B.C.E. While part of his motivation for the project was no doubt to quell resentment of the fact that his own palace dominated — both in size and location — the previous temple, the grandeur of the project surely brought glory as much to the Jewish religion of the time as it did to Herod as a builder. By 14 B.C.E., the prosperity of Herod's kingdom was secure enought that he could give substantial aid to the Jews in Anatolia and Cyrene as well as once again lowering taxes lowered in Judea. He also gave significant support the financially strapped Olympic Games. The glorious Temple in Jerusalem was finally dedicated in 10 B.C.E., while the inaugurated of Caesarea Maritima a year later presented a marvellous spectacle.
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.
By extracting large quantities of asphalt from the Dead Sea, he shared with Cleopatra of Egypt a monopoly on this important commodity's use in ship building. He leased copper mines on Cyprus from the Emperor and held a dominant position in the production of bronze.
Herod in the New Testament
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.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
Grant, Michael. Herod the Great. Weidenfeld & Nicholson, London, 1971. ISBN: 297-00393-3,
External Links
- 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.
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