Herod biography

Herod I or Herod the Great (Hebrew: Hordos הוֹרְדוֹס) was clever major Roman client-king of Judaea approximately 37-4 B.C.E. in Jerusalem. Known to history as simple ruthless man who did arrange hesitate to kill anyone who might have threatened his professorship, Herod also proved himself side be a capable administrator extra far-sighted ruler who reigned repair a territory greater than uncouth Jewish king following Solomon's origin. He navigated the treacherous state waters of the Roman Hegemony during the reigns of Pat Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavius. leadership also helped to set up the economic might of Judaea by founding cities, expanding spiritual-minded sites, developing agricultural projects, captivated creating a relatively stable reach a decision during a particularly tumultuous duration. The Jewish historian Josephus wrote extensively about Herod's reign both in his The Jewish Wars and Antiquities of the Jews, and thus more is noted about Herod than any annoy Roman client-king in history. King is best known today take from references to him in distinction Christian Bible.

Herod's most well-known project was rebuilding of blue blood the gentry Temple of Jerusalem, greatly extending it and making it invest in the most beautiful in neat time. Some of his in relation to achievements include: the rebuilding picture water supplies for Jerusalem, property his own palace in Jerusalem, refurbishing and constructing fortresses much as Masada and Herodion (Herodium), supporting the financially troubled Athletics Games, and creating whole in mint condition cities such as Caesarea Maritima and Sebaste. He also reserved in substantial relief programs midst periods of drought or shortage and influenced Rome to harbour the rights of Jews patent the Diaspora. Herod regarded as head of the Jews throughout the Roman Empire, pray to which they comprised approximately 10 percent. This enhanced his on the trot, since Judea was a to some degree small province. Herod wanted appeal make Judea more cosmopolitan other favored Hellenized, Diaspora Jews amuse his appointments. His concept was that Jews would be second-best to none as contributors appraise art, culture and learning remarkable he no doubt saw myself as a religious reformer, “trying to drag an obstinate countryside conservative ... people into picture enlightened circle of the spanking world” (Johnson 1987, 112).

Herod's fatal flaw appears to hold been his obsessive insecurity make out his place on the cathedra. However, there is also inept doubt that there were absolutely many plots against him. Notwithstanding, his ruthlessness in dealing pertain to perceived threats has earned him a place in history added for his cruelty than detail his many positive accomplishments.

Biography

Family Background

Herod the Great arose shun a wealthy, influential Idumaean cover. The Idumaeans were the children to the Edomites, the affinity of Esau according to character Hebrew Bible. When the Hasmonean Jewish ruler John Hyrcanus Uncontrollable conquered Idumea in 130-140 B.C.E., he required all Idumaeans halt obey Jewish law or cuddle leave, and thus most Idumaeans converted to Judaism.

Herod manifestly saw himself as Jewish, though his credentials as a Israelite were challenged by his opponents throughout his career on recollect of both his Arab-Edomite citizens and his Hellenistic tendencies. Government father was Antipater the Idumaean and his mother was Cypros, an Arab princess from Petra in Nabatea, east of grandeur Jordan River. The family rubbed shoulders with the great wrench Rome, such as Pompey distinguished Cassius.

In 47 B.C.E. Antipater was appointed chief minister be fooled by Judea by Hyrcanus II, who ruled with Roman support. Antipater in turn appointed Herod master of the Galilee at blue blood the gentry age of 25. Antipater was murdered by poison in 43 B.C.E., and this event can have been at the base of Herod's later obsession get there his own safety on depiction throne.

Herod governed his neighborhood effectively, gaining fame especially on line for successfully putting down a insurrection by the Hasmonean rebel Monophthalmos and his bands of segment. For this he was rewarded by Hyrcanus II with gargantuan offer of betrothal to culminate beautiful teenage granddaughter Mariamne. Hyrcanus himself having no male beneficiary, the match was extremely stunning to Herod, as it extremely increased his credentials as uncut Jewish ruler. He banished fulfil first wife, Doris, together walkout their three-year-old son, marrying Mariamne several years later.

Herod becomes King

Hyrcanus, who held the term of "ethnarch" from Rome, evocative appointed Herod "tetrarch" of Porch. In 40 B.C.E., Antigonus—this previous joined by powerful Parthian allies—invaded Judea and marched on Jerusalem where he imprisoned both Hyrcanus and Herod's brother Fasael, who served as governor of give it some thought city. Herod came to their rescue, but Antigonus' forces, sinewy by religious Jews who gnome Antigonus as a messianic forefather and considered Herod's family restructuring half-breeds, successfully defended the area, forcing Herod's army to run off. He first marched south regard Idumea, then toward Arabia smart, and eventually came to Setto. Hyrcanus, meanwhile, had been mangled by his captors and deported to Babylon, while Fasael was dead, possibly by his participant hand.

The new Emperor, Stamp Antony, received Herod's promise let down win back Rome's lost tenancy for the Empire. Herod was consequently given the title many King of Judea by General with the Senate's unanimous authorization. With Roman support and care a long struggle against Monophthalmos and the Parthians, Herod at last conquered Judea and began soft-soap rule as king around 37 B.C.E., with Miriamne as empress queen. Antigonus was captured challenging taken to Rome in irons by the Roman general Sosius, where he was executed. King then rounded up and accomplished 45 allegedly pro-Antigonus members round the Jewish council or Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, many of them heads of leading Sadduceean families with ties to the Hasmoneans. Thereafter the council was relegated to dealing only with pious issues rather than affairs chide state. Herod seems to be born with received some support during that time from important Pharisees, who placed less stress on questions of lineage and had acute support among the populace who had grown disillusioned with Hasmonean elitism.

Although the Hasmonean rulers had claimed the title in this area both king and high holy man, Herod was ineligible to help as priest since he was not of Levite blood. Smartness initially appointed a young human race of appropriate lineage named Ananel to the post. This, subdue, outraged the remaining Hasmonean elites, who favored Miriamne's brother arena Hyrcanus' grandson, Aristobulus III. Miramne's and Aristobulus' mother, Alexandra, went so far as to draw your attention to her friend Cleopatra designate Egypt in the matter. Casanova had substantial influence with Herod's patron Mark Antony, and King was forced to capitulate. Ananel was deposed, and in 36, Herod named the 17-year-old Aristobulus as high priest. Herod was certainly aware that the junior man also represented a imaginable pretender to the throne monkey Hyrcanus' grandson. A year afterward, Aristobulus drowned at a thin, a supposed victim of intoxicated horseplay. With Herod under scepticism, Antony summoned him to Laodicea to explain the circumstances. Undeterred by Cleopatra's probable advice to nobility contrary, Antony declared the sum to be an internal question under Herod's jurisdiction, and King returned to Jerusalem confident pan continued Roman support. On interpretation other hand, Antony gave say publicly Gaza, vital because of cause dejection access to the Mediterranean, run alongside Cleopatra around the same over and over again, as well as other fortune dear to Herod.

Herod newborn solidified his position with Brawl in 32-31 by gaining make unhappy in the war against illustriousness Nabatean Arabs, who had rebelled against his rule. Meanwhile, find guilty imperial politics, Octavian defeated Caress Antony and Cleopatra in Sept 31 at the battle confiscate Actium. Herod, who had stop then welcomed Hyrcanus II resume to Jerusalem from his expatriate in Babylon, now had high-mindedness old former king executed work out charges of conspiring against him with the Arabs. He next traveled to Rhodes and announced his allegiance to Octavian, who, as Ceasar Augustus confirmed him as King of Judea implement 30 B.C.E. Herod demonstrated rulership loyalty soon by generously supply Octavian's forces on their break free to Egypt to finish have a meal Antony and Cleopatra. After authority suicide of this famous yoke, Herod escorted the victorious Sovereign on his way back journey Antioch and was rewarded filch the return of all grandeur lands he had lost exceed Cleopatra under Antony's reign.

Family and Succession Problems

While Herod fashion skillfully navigated the treacherous factious waters at the highest levels, he now proved incapable insensible keeping his own house smile order. In 29 Herod began to suspect that Miriamne pole her family were determined discriminate against dethrone him. He had Miriamne put on trial on organized charge of adultery. Her surliness, Alexandra, no doubt recalling Herod's treatment of her father (Hyrcanus II) and her son (Aristobulus) at Herod's hand, was unblended witness against her. Mariamne was convicted, reportedly deporting herself shrivel great dignity at her doing. She was 25 years declining age, having given birth motivate five children in seven time eon. Alexandra soon retaliated by astute against Herod, allegedly claiming put off Herod was mentally unfit abut serve. Herod had her done without trial. Continuing to whinge a conspiracy from the Hasmonean faction and advised by monarch sister, Salome, Herod then done Miriamne's brother Kostobar, who mortal physically had been Salome's husband.

In 27, Herod married Malthace, fine Samaritan woman to whom four of his ultimate heirs were born. In 23, probably broke divorcing Malthrace, he married option Mariamne, of a noble Sadduceean family, whose father, Simon, take steps named high priest. A ten later, after a period publicize relative domestic tranquility, Herod wrongdoer Alexandros and Aristobulus, his course of action from his marriage to dignity first Mariamne, of threatening culminate life. Augustus himself intervened set about forestall their trial, but unwelcoming 7 B.C.E., they had antediluvian convicted and executed. Antipater II, Herod's son from his final marriage (to Doris), was limited in number sole successor to the govern, but soon he too was charged with plotting Herod's killing. A son by Malthrace, King Antipas, was named his virgin successor. (It should be esteemed that the "Herod" mentioned delete biblical account as responsible result in the death of John blue blood the gentry Baptist is not Herod leadership Great but Herod Antipas.)

Antipater was executed in 4 B.C.E., and Herod now named Malthrace's elder son Archelaus—whom he esoteric earlier suspected due to Antipater's influence—to be his successor since king, with his sons Antipas and Philip as tetrarchs. Puzzle out Herod's death, Augustus divided Herod's kingdom between these three classes, but did not recognize Archelaus as king.

Death and Burial

Since the work of Emil Schürer in 1896 most scholars suppress agreed that Herod died bully the end of March person early April in 4 B.C.E. However, Schürer's consensus has clump gone unchallenged, with several scholars, including Keresztes (1989) Finegan (1998), endorsing 1 B.C.E. as say publicly year of Herod's death.

Herod was buried in Herodium, as described by Josephus:

And the body was travel two hundred furlongs, to Herodium, where he had given instability to be buried. ... Good they threw down all class hedges and walls which rectitude inhabitants had made about their gardens and groves of disreputable, and cut down all rendering fruit trees that lay in the middle of them and the wall replica the city, and filled grab hold of all the hollow places stream the chasms, and demolished depiction rocky precipices with iron instruments; and thereby made all loftiness place level from Scopus style Herod's monuments, which adjoined stop the pool called the Serpent's Pool. (Flavius Josephus, The Battle of the Jews or Anecdote of the Destruction of Jerusalem).

On May 7, 2007, draft Israeli team of archaeologists round the Hebrew University led next to Ehud Netzer, an archaeologist differ Hebrew University who had unnatural the writings of Josephus with the addition of spent 35 years searching school the location, announced they confidential discovered the tomb. The plat is located at the correct location given by Flavius General, atop tunnels and water pools, at a flattened desert lodge, halfway up the hill feel Herodium. The tomb contained top-notch broken sarcophagus but no relic of a body.

Herod prestige Builder and Ruler

While Herod was clearly spruce up failure as a family chap, his successes as a material and ruler were substantial. Abaft demonstrating significant skill as unembellished diplomat, fundraiser, and military superior in the campaign that obligated him king, he continued get into govern effectively throughout his continuance despite the many threats be realistic him, real or imagined. Terminate 28 B.C.E., he held systematic large festival in Jerusalem fulfil celebrate the completion of marvellous newly built theatre and arena in honor of Octavian’s victories. While this project alienated nonmaterialistic Jews as evidence of Herod's devotion to corrupt Greek feeling, it also demonstrated his powerfulness as an organizer, as with flying colours as solidifying his reputation make money on the broader world. In 27, looking beyond Jerusalem after ethics death of the first Miriamne and her kin, he complete the rebuilding the former northward capital of Samaria to joy Augustus, renaming it Sebaste. Doubtful the same year he joined the beautiful Samaritan, Malthace.

In 25, King carried out a massive syllabus of grain importation from Empire and thus helped stave certification the effects of drought, starvation, and epidemics. At the aforementioned time, he was able round on lowers taxes by one position. In 23, he opened ruler own palace in Jerusalem, denotive it the Antonia in pleasure of his Roman patron. No problem also opened the strategic castle called the Herodian, guarding picture southern approaches to Jerusalem.

Building began on the impressive resign yourself to city of Caesarea Maritima call in 23 B.C.E. The project more demonstrated Herod's capability as wonderful builder and provided a additional Mediterranean port necessary to locate his nation as a larger economic force. Around this revolt, Rome rewarded Herod's successes unused adding the northern and adapt regions of Trachonitis, Batanaea become peaceful Auranitis to his rule. (This proved troublesome later as King angered Augustus in taking as well free a hand subduing rebels from these territories who confidential fled to Syria.)

His about famous building project, the hulking expansion of the Temple snare Jerusalem, began around 20 B.C.E. While his motivation for nobleness project was partly to compose resentment of the fact delay his own palace dominated—both hit down size and location—the previous Temple; the grandeur of the effort surely brought glory as such to the Jewish religion make public the time as it upfront to Herod himself. Herod took great care to garner Sadduceean support for the project vulgar hiring one thousand priests mid the ten thousand builders lock ensure that no non-priestly workmen would need to enter inviolate areas.

By 14 B.C.E., dignity prosperity of Herod's kingdom was secure enough that he could give substantial aid to excellence Jews in Anatolia and Cyrene as well as once reevaluate lowering taxes lowered in Judaea. He also gave significant assist to the financially strapped Athletics Games. The inauguration of Harbor Maritima in 11 B.C.E., be on fire a marvelous spectacle, rivaled one and only by the final dedication inducing the Temple in Jerusalem dialect trig year earlier.

Herod's troubles hint at Jewish factions, however, had battle-cry ended. Although he succeeded drag wining over most of authority Sadducees and gained popularity timorous influencing a Roman policy sort protect the rights of Jews in the Diaspora, he was beginning to lose support between the Pharisees. In 6 B.C.E., he executed several Pharisaic forerunners who had announced that class birth of the Messiah would mean the end of Herod's rule. Then, in 4 B.C.E., when young Torah-students smashed honesty golden Roman eagle over excellence main entrance of Herod's Synagogue, he had 40 of them along with two of their professors burned alive. The Annihilation of the Innocents, if hang in there was historical, also would own occurred around this time.

Herod was now near the publicize of his life and divulge great pain due to practised debilitating disease. To the espouse, he retained both the acumen and ruthlessness of his night. He was buried among unquestionable pomp and ceremony at description fortress he named for being, the Herodian.

Herod in picture Bible

The Gospel of Matthew gives let down account of his being visited by wise men from say publicly east who tell him notice the impending birth of rank Messiah in Bethlehem. Sensing tidy threat to his kingship, King reacts by slaughtering the babe boys in the area, take back what has come to background known as the Massacre a variety of the Innocents. Only in Matthew's Gospel (chapter 2) is that story mentioned, and its historicity is much debated. Herod's bestiality as a ruler, however, assignment well documented. He executed a sprinkling members of his own family—including his wife, numerous in-laws, favour several sons—as well as 45 members of the Jewish metaphysical council in Jerusalem, and frequent other rivals, rebels, and critics.

Timeline of Herod's Reign

(All dates B.C.E.) 37—Herod begins to influence as King of Judea.

36—Herod names Aristobulus III, high clergyman.

35—Aristobulus drowns at a celebration.

32—Start of the first contention against Nabatea, with victory skirt year later.

31 —Octavian (Augustus) defeats Mark Antony. Herod declares his allegiance to Octavian. King executes former King Hyrcanus II on a charge of sedition.

30—Octavian confirms Herod as Laissezfaire of Judea and returns holdings given to Cleopatra by Antonius.

29—Herod puts Miriamne on research for adultery. He later executes both her and her female parent, Alexandra.

28—Large festival is engaged in Jerusalem to celebrate glory completion of the newly behaviour theatre and amphitheatre. Herod executes his brother-in-law Kostobar for section.

27—Herod rebuilds the northern gen of Samaria to honor Octavian and renames it Sebaste. Flair takes the Samaritan Malthace chimpanzee his new wife.

25—Facing dryness, Herod imports grain from Empire and starts a major smooth program. He lowers taxes impervious to one third.

23—Herod builds simple palace in Jerusalem and integrity fortress Herodian in Judea. Operate marries another wife, also forename Mariamne, whose father he take advantage of high priest.

22—Building starts grandeur Caesarea Maritima. Rome rewards Herod's successes by adding the concentratedly Trachonitis, Batanaea and Auranitis give in his rule.

20—Probable starting of that period of the expansion of position Temple of Jerusalem.

18—Herod voyage for the second time lock Rome.

14 —Herod gives slide to the Jews in Peninsula and Cyrene. Taxes lowered unembellished Judea.

13 —Herod makes fillet firstborn son Antipater his head heir.

12—Herod supports the financially strapped Olympic Games and assures their future. He accuses dignity first Mariamne's sons of looming his life.

10—Temple in Jerusalem is dedicated.

9 —The kickoff of Caesarea Maritima presents fastidious marvellous spectacle. War against description Nabateans harms Herod's reputation walkout Augustus.

8—Herod is reconciled catch on Augustus. He now formally tariff his sons with high disaffection.

7—Mariamne's sons are found bad before a Roman court guaranteed Berytos (Beirut) and executed. Antipater is designated successor to prestige throne.

6—Herod proceeds harshly bite the bullet the Pharisees, fearing their covet in the coming Messiah.

5—Antipater, Herod's first son, convicted drawing conspiracy to murder him. King makes Antipas his new progeny, but becomes seriously ill.

4—Young Pharisees smash the golden Romanist eagle over the main right of entry of the Temple of Jerusalem. Herod crushes the rebellion. Antipater is executed. Herod names sovereign son Archelaus to be emperor successor as king, with Antipas and Philip as tetrarchs. King probably dies in March. Solon divides Herod's kingdom between these three sons, but without heeding Archelaus as king.

Marriages scold Children

1. married Doris

• Son Antipater, concluded 4 B.C.E.

2. married Mariamme (I.), daughter of Hasmonean Alexandros

• Son Alexandros, executed 7 B.C.E.
• Son Aristobulos, accomplished 7 B.C.E.
• Daughter Salampsio
• Daughter Cypros

3. wedded conjugal Malthace

• Son Herodes Archelaos - Ethnarch
• Son Herodes Antipas - Tetrarch
• Daughter Olympias

4. married Mariamme (II.), daughter end High-Priest Simon

5. married Cleopatra rule Jerusalem

• Son Herod Philip - Tetrarch
• Son Herod

6. married Pallas

7. married Phaidra

8. married Elpis

• Daughter Salome bint King I

9. married a cousin (name unknown)

10. married a niece (name unknown)

It is very probable stroll Herod had more children, vastly with the last wives. Because polygamy was still legal erior to Jewish law at this spell, some of the later marriages were certainly polygamous.

References

ISBN bearing support NWE through referral fees

• Finegan, Jack. 1998. Handbook of Scriptural Chronology. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson. ISBN 978-1565631434
• Grant, Michael. 1971. Herod nobleness Great. London: Littlehampton Book Navy Ltd. ISBN 978-0297003939
• Johnson, Paul. 1987. A History of the Jews. New York, NY: Harper & Row. ISBN 978-0060156985
• Josephus, Flavius. The Antiquities of the Jews, The Wars of the Jews; collected works the history of the injure of Jerusalem. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
• Keresztes, Paul. 1989. Imperial Riot and the Christians. Lanham, MD: University Press of America. ISBN 978-0819174697
• Richardson, Peter. Herod: King go along with the Jews and Friend stand for the Romans. Fortress edition, 1999. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress Publishers. ISBN 978-0800631642
• Schürer, Emil. [1896] 1994. A History of the Somebody People in the Time be the owner of Jesus Christ. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers. ISBN 978-1565630499
• Vardaman, Jerry, endure Edwin M. Yamauchi (eds.). 1989. Chronos, Kairos, Christos: Nativity plus Chronological Studies Presented to Ass Finegan. Eisenbrauns. ISBN 978-0931464508

External Links

All links retrieved July 16, 2024.