HIS 9 - Elective - Heroes and Villains: Herod the Great

Authoritative and comprehensive biography of Herod the Great including Early Life, Reign and Achievements.

Herod's life was one of ruthless political expediency; although the historical evidence for the massacre of infants is exclusively Biblical it appears entirely possible that King Herod was capable of the atrocity.

Herod the Great was born around 74-73 BC and died in 4 BC. Herod was renowned as a great builder. He rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem along with such other projects as the harbour at Caesarea, the fortresses of Masada and Herodium, and the pagan city of Sebaste.

King Herod, sometimes called "Herod the Great" (circa 74 to 4 B.C.) was a king of Judea who ruled the territory with Roman approval. The Bible depicts Herod as a monster bu while he did execute one of his wives, and three of his children, he was also a prolific builder who renovated and expanded the Temple in Jerusalem, the most holy site in Judaism.

Jason M. Schlude explores how King Herod manipulated his position between two regional powers. To come to a full appreciation of Herod the Great, we must understand him as more than a one-dimensional Roman front man.