Herod the Great

King Herod, The Great

Quite a variety of members belonging to the royal dynasty had their names Herod being originated in Edom or Idumea after John Hyrcanus in 125 B.C was obligated to adopt the Jewish religion (1). The Herod family ruled in Palestine as vassals of the Romans. Followed by Maccabees, the history of this dynasty mainly relates to the political history of Palestine during this whole era (1).

Romans in 40 B.C made Herod I the Great, son of Antipater the king who managed to keep hold of his throne even during the times of changes in the government at Rome (1). Herod's kingdom includes Idumea, Galilee, Judea, Batanea, Samaria and Peraea, which was more or less the same size as the kingdom of David and Solomon (1).

Though Herod had outstanding leadership skills, yet he was greatly detested by the Jews. One of the reasons for disliking him was his attitude toward the Maccabean dynasty to which he was linked in terms of marriage, while his impudence and brutality, infuriated Jews more (1).

One of the examples of his brutality is the execution of his brother-in-law and some of his wives and sons (1). In addition, he obligated heavy taxes and cruelly reserved all rebellions. But the main reason for detesting him was the policy of Hellenistic culture that deeply wounded the Jews (1).

However, he was supported for the construction of a theater, a racecourse and an amphitheater in Jerusalem (1). While the construction of the emperor cult in the East and in foreign cities the formation of pagan temples at his own expense could not be excused, although he reinstated and renovated the Temple of Jerusalem and repeatedly pleaded the cause of the Jews of the Diaspora to the emperor for his own benefits (1).

No close tie existed between the king and his people as he stayed an Edomite and a friend of Rome, and held on to his regime by means of a pitiless military force. He is the same ruler who butchered the children of Bethlehem (1).

Herod's death was sudden in the year 4 B.C. however, the Emperor Augustus after his death, made Herod's three sons the rulers of various parts of their father's kingdom (1).

Herod Regime from 37-25 B.C

This first period covers the time from Herod's succession as king in 37 B.C. To the execution of his wife Mariamne, and the loss Babas's sons in 25 B.C., at the time when the last successor of the Hasmonean family was executed (1). During this era of Herod's regime he had many strong foes, specifically the Pharisees, the ruling class, the Hasmonean family, and Cleopatra (1).

The Pharisees

The Pharisees had many reasons for disliking Herod one of which was the fact that he was the king of Judea, and then chiefly because he was an Idumaean, a half Jew, and an ally of the Romans (1, 2). Herod faced many problems while dealing with the Pharisees one of which was there incredible popularity with the people since they were respected a lot and were considered to be very religious. However, King Herod had his own ways of dealing with the population (1, 2). Therefore, whoever opposed him he gives punishment, while reward with favors and great honors to those who were his friends (1, 2).

The Ruling Class

This other group with strong rival to King Herod was the followers the aristocratic Antigonus. King Herod cruelly dealt them all to the extent that once he executed forty-five of the most well-off, renowned and important members of the ruling class (1, 2). He even detained their possessions and filled up his treasury, which had been tired due to all of his bribes (1, 2).

The Hasmonean Family

This third group of his powerful opponent was the family of the Hasmoneans. Here the actual of most of his problems was his mother-in-law, Alexandra. During this period Hyrcanus came back from Parthian exile, still he was mutilated due to which he was not able to serve as high priest (1, 2). Herod wanted replacement of Hyrcanus as high priest and since Hyrcanus was a half Jew, he therefore, was not permitted to serve as high priest. Thus, Herod preferred to choose a member of the Zadokite family, who were non-threatening and also thought to have descended from Aaron. Thus, he chose Ananel, a priest of the Babylonian exile (1, 2).

Herod's mother-in-law, Alexandra, felt insult and thought it to be an imposition on the Hasmonean line. According to her the only rightful heir could serve as high priest, and therefore, her sixteen-year-old son Aristobulus, the brother of Mariamne should be made priest (1, 2).

She even wrote to Cleopatra in order to convince Marc Antony to force Herod to select her son Aristobulus as high priest (1, 2). Thus, Herod removed Ananel immediately, although it was not lawful, as the high priest had to stay in office for his lifetime. But eventually Aristobulus was made high priest at the age of 17 years old in 35 B.C (1, 2).

Alexandra was happy but not for long as King Herod did not have her trust and was closely watched by him. As Alexandra knew the fact that King Herod was watching her, she accepted an invitation by Cleopatra to escape with her son and escape to Egypt. King Herod came to know about her escape with her son and allowed them to carry it out their plan so that he may catch them in the act. However, at this moment he decided to ignore the offense (2).

Aristobulus received great affection from the people of Tabernacles, for officiating high priest (2). Considering this as a threat, Herod wanted to get rid of this probable and promising rival. As was invited by Alexandra to a feast at Jericho, Herod made a plan after the feast ended (2).

As per his plan he acted friendly to her and Aristobulus and gave an invitation for a swim and then bribing few men to play sports together in the water, he made Aristobulus drowned by accident (2). King Herod made extreme expression of grief upon this and arranged the most outstanding funeral so he could not be suspected in the least by anyone. However, Aristobulus mother knew and decided to dedicate her life to take revenge from Herod (2).

After Cleopatra was informed of the murder she persuaded Marc Antony to call Herod to give an account for his actions. King Herod asked his uncle Joseph to keep watch over Mariamne during the time when he was at Marc Antony (2).

When Herod came before Marc Antony he bribed him and gave an expressive defense for his actions. When Herod returned, his sister Salome accused her husband, Joseph for having unlawful intercourse with Mariamne, which upon questioning Mariamne denied all, which he believed (3).

But later Herod came to know that she learned about the secret command that Herod had given Joseph, which made him annoyed and executed Joseph without a trial in 34 B.C. He also had Alexandra bound in chains and put in prison (3).

Cleopatra

The last powerful enemy of King Herod was Cleopatra. Due to her strong relationship with Marc Antony her territory was increased greatly (3). Thus, after Marc Antony's mission against Armenia in 34 B.C. she convinced him to give her all of the coast of Philistia south of the river named Phoenicia, along with some parts of the Arabia, as well as the district of Jericho with its balsam plantations and many palm trees (3).

Herod's most fertile area of land in his whole kingdom was Jericho. However, each time Cleopatra visited her territories King Herod welcomed her with celebration, despite the fact he despised her. And so whenever she tried to offer to trap him he would never give in (3).

The civil war between Marc Antony and Octavius Herod wanted to take the cause of Marc Antony to support him in any way that he could. Upon Cleopatra's persuasion, Marc Antony ordered King Herod to fight against Malchus, the Arabian king (3).

Herod did as ordered by Marc Antony and so he fought against Malchus. But when Herod had won the initial victory over the Arabs, Cleopatra came and gave all her help to the Arabians, resulting in Herod's defeat (3).

A great earthquake in 31 B.C. came in Herod's territory that killed over 30,000 people. At this difficult and crucial time, Herod tried to settle with the Arabs for which he sent a representative to Arabia to make peace. However, upon his arrival, the Arabs killed them (3). Upon this news Herod immediately gathered his army and attacked the Arabs and defeated them (3).

Herod and Octavius

At the Battle of Actium, on September 2nd, 31 B.C. Octavius defeated Marc Antony. As this devastated Herod because he knew that he would have to be answerable to Octavius for everything. Herod made an astute move by murdering Hyrcanus II and accused him of plotting with the king of the Nabatean's (3).

In the spring of 30 B.C. Herod met Octavius in Rhodes. But before he left he gave instructions to two of his friends that if was executed then they have to kill Alexandra and Mariamne, so that his sons and his brother Pheroras would rule his kingdom (3).

King Herod played his part well when he came in Rhodes to stand before Octavius. He confessed immediately that he was a true friend of Marc Antony and that he did not fight against Octavius due to his war against the Arabs (3). His arguments to Octavius gave the impression that if he was loyal to Marc Antony then his loyalty would benefit Octavius. This explanation allowed Herod to remain as the ruler of Judea and he returned home (3).

Same year, Octavius on his way to Egypt also came to the coast of Phoenicia. Herod welcomed him and greeted him to Ptolemais with great festivity, which delighted Octavius a lot (3). Herod even presented him with a gift of 800 talents and supplies for the Roman soldiers. In August of 30 B.C. Octavius marched through Egypt where at this time Marc Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide. Upon hearing this, Herod came to Egypt to congratulate Octavius (3).

The Death of Mariamne

Herod enjoyed his so-called success of his kingdom, while things in Judea were far away from peace (3, 4). As he was at Rhodes, Mariamne came to know from one of Herod's friends named Soemus that Herod gave the order to kill her if he was executed. Thus, upon, Herod arrival she turned bitter toward him (3, 4).

On the other hand, Salome bribed Herod's cup-bearer to say that Mariamne had made some kind of love-potion for the king (3, 4). Herod punished the cup-bearer but couldn't find anything about the potion. However, he did find out that Mariamne detested him for wanting to execute her if he was put to death (3, 4).

In actual, while, Herod he was alive, never wanted to put Mariamne to death, and would not kill her but had her put in prison. Due to all his emotions so stimulated that Salome took advantage of and in some way persuaded King Herod to have her executed finally (3, 4).

The Death of the Last of the Hasmoneans

After going into a long period of depression over Mariamne, Herod once again started his bloodshed and executed the last of the male relatives of Hyrcanus, so that none would be left who could argue or challenge his occupancy of the throne (3, 4).

Herod Regime from 25-14 B.C.

This period has been marked with magnificence and enjoyment. However, there were some moments of great disturbance (5). The first thing indicated about this era was when King Herod dishonored the Jewish law by means of introducing the quinquennial games in honor of Caesar and in an attempt to do this he built great amphitheaters theaters and race courses for both men and horses (5).

Herod as Master Builder

It was around 24 B.C. that Herod built for himself a royal palace and also reconstructed many fortresses and Gentile temples, which include the reconstruction of Straton's Tower, renamed as Caesarea (5). However, his greatest building was the Temple in Jerusalem which started in 20 or 19 B.C. It was considered to be the most dignified of all his achievements. Rabbinic literature states (5):

He_who has not, seen the Temple of Herod clever seen a beautiful building"

BT: Baba Bathraa'-Tlso,

Further, it was suggested that it was his "atonement for having slain so many sages of Israel" -Midrash: Num 14:8

Since in this period he had great interest in culture, he surrounded himself with all such men who were skillful in Greek literature and art (5). The highest offices of state were assigned to Greek rhetoricians, one of whom was Nicolas of Damascus, as Herod's instructor (5).

Nicolas was King's advisor and was always included in Herod's dealings both before and after his death. King Herod received directions from him in history, philosophy and rhetoric (5). Thus, this was another side to Herod, having visionary building programs, along with creative development of trade with the world, as well as his development of the interests of his nation, considered as legendary (5).

Most of his building programs were designed in order to strengthen the loyalty of his subjects. Further, most of the buildings appeared to have been built to strengthen his relationship with Rome and to prove himself as the greatest king the Jews had ever had.

His building programs include (5):

Jerusalem

Jerusalem was reconstructed in a fabulous setting unrivaled in the ancient world. Few of the limestone blocks of the supporting platform weighed more than 500 tons. The Temple has been made of marble and gold and was taller than a 15-story building (5).

In addition, on the Western Hill of the city, Herod constructed a stunning palace complex that contained royal apartments, reception halls, fountains, gardens, and baths along with a fortress for his own personal guard (5). Then there was Antonia, which was a huge fortress and as luxurious as Herod's own palace.

According to few scholars believe it was the site of Jesus' trial. Herod appreciated a Greek theater as well as hippodrome that gave the Hellenistic emphasis. While Streets were paved, drains were built, and water carriers were reconstructed to make Jerusalem one of the great cities of the world (5).

Masada

One of the wonders of the ancient world was part of a line of fortresses, which included the Herodion, Machaerus, the Alexandrion and Masada. While, combined with all the essential elements of a Herod project, the plateau in the Judea wilderness had a stunning view of the Dead Sea with approximately 2,000 feet below (5). Moreover, a three-tiered palace hung riskily from one end of the plateau, that it almost defied gravity. While, the western area comprised of mosaic floors, hot and cold baths and plastered walls. Also, Masada contained huge warehouses with supplies for outlasting years of siege barracks for soldiers, swimming pools and cisterns that held millions of gallons of water (5).

The Herodion

The Herodion as being the mountain fortress ignored the town of Bethlehem. The upper fortress seen by standing on a high hill, was round and more than 200 feet in diameter. However, originally, it was seven stories high, along with an eastern tower that stood more than 40 feet higher (5).

Packed dirt covered the first four stories, giving a cone shape to the upper fortress. Inside were a peristyle garden with reception hall, Roman baths, and innumerable apartments. While, the lower palace included a 600-foot-long terrace, a huge pool, a colonnaded garden and a building that was more than 400 feet long, making the Herodion as the third-largest palace in the ancient world (5).

Jericho

Jericho was built on both sides of a deep dry streambed called wadi, along with a bridge across the bed. One wing held a huge, marble-floored hall where King Herod used to receive his guests. While next to it were dining halls, peristyle gardens with a complete Roman bath. Also, across the wadi, Herod built another monumental building that had baths, a swimming pool and gardens (6).

Caesarea

In order to have contact with the Roman world for the military support as well as for its market for the spice trade and other goods that was controlled by his people he built this place (6). Due to this reason, Caesarea was built on the Mediterranean coast, which was one of the most magnificent seaports of the ancient world. It was founded in 22 B.C. where the city had a large theater with an amphitheater, a massive temple to Augustus and a hippodrome (6). Caesarea was almost entirely covered with imported marble with an elaborated drainage system that was designed to be clean by the sea.

Household Affairs

As for his household affairs he married another Mariamne (who we can refer to as Mariamne II), she was the daughter of Simon, a famous priest in Jerusalem just about 24 B.C. In 22 B.C. Herod sent his two sons of Mariamne I, Alexander and Aristobulus, to Rome for their schooling (6). Augustus took these sons with pleasure and they stayed at the residence of Asinius Pollio who claimed to be one of Herod's most dedicated friends (6).

During this time Augustus presented Herod the lands of Trachonitis, Batanea, and Auranitis which were occupied by nomad robber clans with whom the bordering tetrarch Zenodorus had made common cause (6). It is evident that there was a harmonious relationship between Augustus Caesar and Herod. Herod, undeniably, was an important emperor of Rome for he kept that part of the Roman Empire organized (6).

In 20 B.C Augustus came to Syria, he gave to Herod the territory of Zenodorus or the one which was in the middle of Trachonitis and Galilee, including Ulatha and Paneas and made it such that the procurators of Syria had to obtain Herod's permission for all their actions (6). He also requested Augustus for a territory for his brother Pheroras and it appears that Augustus approved the request. Perea was given to him (6).

Due to these generous bestowments of Augustus, Herod created a magnificent temple for Augustus in the territory of Zenodorus, next to the place called Paneion (6). Also, at this same time Herod reduced one third of the taxes under the excuse of crop failure, infact it was to bring willingness and favour amongst those who were unsatisfied with his emphasis of Graeco-Roman traditions and faith (6).

The reduction of taxes was somewhat effective. However there was discontent as Herod did not allow people to group for fear of revolt (6). He made the people pledge an oath of loyalty, but excluded Pollion the Pharisee and his follower Samaias, as well as most of their disciples. The Essenes did not need to take oath because Josephus said that Herod held them in esteem (6).

Herod then made a journey to Rome to meet Augustus and brought his two sons home, who had finished their education (in 17 or 16 B.C.). After their return to Judea with Herod, Aristobulus married Salome's daughter Berenice and Alexander was married to Glaphyra, the daughter of Archelaus, king of Cappadocia (7).

Undoubtedly, this period from 25-14 B.C. was the most accomplished in Herod's entire rule. His building plan was of great magnificence. His marital affairs were quite good, but at the end of this era there would be great difficulty that would occur in this region (7).

Even though he had some trouble with the political situation, by lowering taxes he favored his people twice, hence had control over them in 14 B.C. He reduced taxes by one-fourth (7).

Herod Rule from 14-4 B.C

We can easily deduce from the writing of Josephus that throughout this time Herod's main problems were domestic. Herod had married ten times.Doris was his first wife by whom he had one son, Antipater (7). Herod abandoned Doris and Antipater when he married Mariamne. They were permitted to visit Jerusalem only during the celebrations (7).

In 37 B.C. Herod was married to Mariamne, the granddaughter of Hyrcanus, who gave birth to five children (7). Two daughters called Salampsio and Cypros. Their youngest son died during while acquiring education in Rome. Alexander and Aristobulus, the older sons played an important role during this period of Herod's life. In late 24 B.C Herod married his third wife Mariamne II who bore him a son, Herod (Philip). He had Archelaus and Antipas from his fourth wife, who was a Samaritan, named Malthace. Cleopatra of Jerusalem was his fifth wifeand the mother of Philip (7). Pallas, Phaedra, and Elpsis are the only ones known by name, among the rest of the five and none of these are important (7).

Alexander and Aristobulus, the sons of Mariamne I, were Herod's most beloved sons. Troubles domestically began to come to the forefront, after they came back from Rome and married Glaphyra and Berenice. Herod's sister and mother of Berenice, Salome, despised these two sons and tried to a great extent to set up her own son (7).

It is believed that to a certain level the haughtiness of the two sons of Mariamne I was because they were a part of the Hasmonean dynasty (7). They were irritated by Salome who spoke ill of their mother whom Herod had killed, which caused them to protect her (7).

Salome and Pheroras, brother of Herod and Salome, informed Herod that his life was in danger because of the two sons who were going to take revenge of the murder of their mother (7). The king of Cappadocia, Archelaus, father of Glaphyra, would help them to reach the emperor and bring accusations against their father (7).

In order to put things right and to prove them that there might be another who could be successor to the throne, he summoned his exiled son Antipater. Herod sent Antipater to Rome in the spring of 13 B.C. In the company of Agrippa who is friend of Augustus (7). He left the east in order to go to Rome, so that he might be able to present Antipater to the emperor (7).

However, instead of supporting in the right things, Antipater in order to acquire the throne used every possible means (7). For instance, he used slander against his two half brothers and problems between the two sons of Herod and Mariamne became so severe that Herod decided to accuse his two sons before the emperor. Thus, Herod took both in 12 B.C. To Aquileia where they were tried before Augustus (7).

Augustus after hearing the case was able to reconcile Herod and his sons. Thus, after the restoration of domestic peace, Herod with his two sons along with Antipater returned home and after their arrival Herod named Antipater as his first successor while next after him were to be Alexander and Aristobulus (7).

But it was not long after their arrival at home that Antipater was being helped by Salome and Herod's brother Pheroras. They started to slander the two sons of Mariamne which made both Alexander and Aristobulus more unfriendly in their attitude (7). However, Herod suspicions about the situation became more and more fearful while Antipater played on Herod's fears (7).

Antipater plan even involved torturing the friends of Alexander so that they might admit any attempt that takes Herod's life (7). While, one friend even made the confession that Alexander had planned to kill him with the help of Aristobulus and that went to Rome in order to lay claim on his kingdom (7). For this reason, Alexander was put to prison (7).

Alexander's father-in-law Cappadocian king Archelaus, heard of this state of affairs, he made a journey to Jerusalem due to the fear for his daughter and son-in-law. He appeared before Herod to see if there could be reconciliation. Though he was very angry over his good-for-nothing son-in-law and even threatened to take his daughter back with him (7).

Although, this was basically a very devious scheme on the part of Archelaus since in doing this, Herod protected his son against Archelaus while, Archelaus achieved the reconciliation he wished. This all happened in 10 B.C as later there was peace once again in Herod's home (7).

However, during this same period he had problems with some foreign enemies as well as with the emperor. There were around forty rebels of Trachonitis who were given shelter by Syllaeus, who ruled in the place of the Arabian king Obodas (7). Also, he was even very antagonistic to Herod because he tried to relieve his country from paying a debt that was contracted with Herod which Herod demanded to pay and hand him over the rebels (7).

Around 9 B.C, with the approval of the governor of Syria, Saturninus, Herod attacked Arabia and enforced his rights (8). It was just a disciplinary measure that had no intentions of territorial gain, meanwhile Syllaeus went to Rome and blurred the picture to Herod by indicating him that Augustus was suspicious and that Herod friendship with him was at an end and that he would no longer consider him as a friend but rather as a subject (8). Thus, in order to justify himself Herod sent an embassy to Rome which failed but he sent again under the leadership of Nicolas of Damascus (8).

In the meantime, the domestic clashes again came to the forefront. Eurycles from Lacedemon, known for his bad character, aroused anger and misunderstanding between the father and sons against. Herod's patience was worn out as other mischief-makers became involved and so he put Alexander and Aristobulus into prison and before the emperor got involved in treasonable plots, he laid a complaint against them (5, 8).

In the meantime, Nicolas of Damascus had achieved his mission by winning over the emperor to Herod. The messengers, who bought the accusations of Herod to Rome, found Augustus in much a positive mood that in turn gave Herod the complete power to continue in the matter of his sons as he desired (5, 8). However, as advised by the emperor, the trial took place outside of Herod's territory at Beirut, before a court which Roman officials formed and also had the charges against his sons scrutinized which was accepted by Herod (5, 8).

The governor of Syria, Saturninus along with his three sons although thought that the sons were guilty but yet they did not wised them to be put to death, but the court nearly unanimously declared the death sentence upon the sons (6).

Tiro, who was an old soldier, openly announced that the trial had been unfair as the truth had been covered up. But he along with three hundreds others were not considered to be friends of Alexander and Aristobulus and were so executed. Thus, at Samaria, where Herod got married to Mariamne some thirty years before, her two sons were put to death by strangling, around 7 B.C (6, 8).

Now as Antipater remained as the sole heir and enjoyed complete confidence of his father, was still not satisfied as he wanted to have the whole government in his own hands. Therefore, in order to accomplish the government, he held secret conferences with Herod's brother Pheroras, tetrarch of Perea, which Salome told to Herod they were planning to kill him, resulting in a tense relationship between Antipater and his father (8).

All this was in knowledge of Antipater, for which, he wrote to his friends in Rome to ask if Augustus would instruct Herod to send Antipater to Rome which Herod did and sent him and designated in his will that Antipater would be his successor to the throne and if in any situation Antipater's death occurs before his own, Herod Philip, son of Mariamne II, the high priest's daughter, would then be his successor (8).

As Antipater was in Rome, Pheroras died which showed the seal of Antipater's fate. While, freedmen of Pheroras went to Herod to tell him about Pheroras death and that he had been poisoned which Herod should investigate. Upon investigating closely it was found out that the poison was sent by Antipater with the intention not to kill Pheroras but instead Pheroras might give it to Herod (4).

In addition, Herod learnt from the female slaves of Pheroras' household that Antipater had made secret meetings concerning the king's long life and about the doubts of his prospects. Herod then recalled Antipater immediately, hiding his real intentions, with no suspicion from Antipater in the end (4).