Herod the Great
Herod the Great ruled the area of Palestine for thirty-three years (37-4 B.C.). His capability in managing affairs in Judaea and surrounding area was matched by his paranoia and brutality in maintaining power in the face of plots real or imagined.
He initiated significant building program, including dredging the harbor at Caesarea Maritime, a reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem, the building of Masada, and other military fortifications.
It was his paranoia at hearing of a rival "King of the Jews" that cause him to commit the "Massacre of the Innocents," an event narrated in Matthew 2:13-18. At his death, his territory was divided among his three sons, Archelaus, Herod Antipas, and Philip.
Herod ordering the slaughter of the Innocents, fresco, the hypogeum of Santa Maria, Stelle, Italy. 5th c.Herod ordering the slaughter of the Innocents, fresco, the hypogeum of Santa Maria, Stelle, Italy. 5th c. Credit: De Agostini/Getty Images
This is the territory ruled by Herod the Great. After his death, several of his sons will rule smaller portions of Israel, but none will have as wide a jurisdiction as Herod.
Caesarea Maritima. Along with the columns in the center left, the Hippodrome, site of chariot races, can be seen to the right with its stone-bench seating. Photo by Doug Garner
Model of Herod's Temple, Jerusalem, at the Israel Museum.
Photo by Doug Garner
Masada. Photo and copyright by Andrew Shiva.