Herod | |
---|---|
King of Judea | |
Reign | 37–4 BCE |
Predecessor | Antigonus II Mattathias |
Successor |
Herod Archelaus, Herod Antipas, Philip the Tetrarch and Salome I |
Born | 74/73 BCE |
Died | 4 BCE (age 69) Jericho, Judea |
Burial | Possibly the Herodium |
Wives | |
Issue |
Antipater II Prince Alexander Prince Aristobulus IV Princess Salampsio Herod II Herod Antipas Herod Archelaus Olympias the Herodian Prince Herod Philip |
Dynasty | Herodian dynasty |
Father | Antipater the Idumaean |
Mother | Cypros |
Religion | Second Temple Judaism |
Herod (/ˈhɛrəd/; Hebrew: הוֹרְדוֹס, Hordos, Greek: Ἡρῴδης, Hērōdēs; 74/73 BCE – 4 BCE), also known as Herod the Great and Herod I, was a Roman client king of Judea, referred to as the Herodian kingdom. The history of his legacy has polarized opinion, as he is known for his colossal building projects throughout Judea, including his expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem (Herod's Temple), the construction of the port at Caesarea Maritima, the fortress at Masada and Herodium. Vital details of his life are recorded in the works of the 1st century CE Roman–Jewish historian Josephus. Herod also appears in the Christian Gospel of Matthew as the ruler of Judea who orders the Massacre of the Innocents at the time of the birth of Jesus. Despite his successes, including singlehandedly forging a new aristocracy from practically nothing, he still garnered criticism from various historians. His reign polarizes opinion amongst scholars and historians, some viewing his legacy as evidence of success, or a reminder of his tyrannical rule.