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King Herod, or Herod the Great, was a Roman-appointed Jewish king of Judea known for his tyrannical rule and colossal building projects. He is described in the Christian Bible as the coordinator of the Massacre of the Innocents, where he ordered the killing of all male children in Bethlehem who were two years old and younger. Herod was paranoid about losing his power and is said to have killed many members of his own family, including his brother-in-law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Herod I or Herod the Great |
| Birth year | c. 72 BCE |
| Death year | c. 4 BCE |
| Title | King of the Jews, King of Judea, King of Judaea |
| Family | 8 wives, 14 children, 1 sister (Salome), 2 brother-in-laws (Aristobulus III), Kostobar, 1 wife's mother, 1 wife's grandfather |
| Known for | Building projects, Massacre of the Innocents, tyranny, brutality |
| Cause of death | Natural causes, arteriosclerosis |
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What You'll Learn
Herod's brother-in-law, Aristobulus III, was drowned at a party on Herod's orders
Herod the Great, a Roman-appointed king of Judea, was known for his violent outbursts and tyrannical rule. He was paranoid about losing his power and would kill anyone he saw as a threat to his kingdom. Herod's brother-in-law, Aristobulus III, was drowned at a party on Herod's orders in 35 BCE. Herod feared that the Jews would appoint Aristobulus III as King of the Jews instead of him, so he orchestrated his death. This act of brutality was not an isolated incident for Herod, who was also responsible for the deaths of his wife, mother-in-law, two other brothers-in-law, and three of his sons.
Herod's wife, Mariamne, was a Maccabean princess, and her brother, Aristobulus III, was appointed high priest by Herod. Despite his affection for Mariamne, Herod was prone to violent fits of jealousy, which his sister Salome exploited to turn him against his wife. Herod's murderous rage was fuelled by his fear of being replaced as king, which led to the tragic drowning of Aristobulus III.
Herod's paranoia and cruelty extended beyond his family. He is famously depicted in the Nativity story as a tyrant, ordering the massacre of newborn babies in Bethlehem to eliminate any potential challengers to his title as "King of the Jews." Herod's reign was marked by political and family intrigues, and he was described by the historian Josephus as "a slave to his passions" and "of great barbarity toward all men equally."
Herod's rise to power began when he was appointed governor of Galilee and later added Syria to his domain. He was then crowned king of Judea by Caesar Augustus, solidifying his rule. However, his kingdom was not without conflict, as he had to repress a revolt and deal with a quarrel with his Nabataean neighbours. Herod's legacy is a reminder of his tyrannical rule and the brutal lengths he went to maintain power, including the tragic death of his brother-in-law, Aristobulus III.
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Herod's jealousy and violent nature
Herod the Great was a Roman-appointed king of Judea, born in 73 BCE and died in 4 BCE. He was of Arab origin and a practising Jew. He was known for his colossal building projects throughout Judea, including rebuilding the Second Temple in Jerusalem and constructing fortresses, aqueducts, theatres, and other public buildings.
However, Herod's reign was marked by his violent nature and jealousy. He was described as a slave to his passions by the historian Josephus, who also characterised him as "of great barbarity toward all men equally". Herod's jealousy and violent tendencies are evident in his treatment of his family members. He murdered his brother-in-law, Kostobar, the husband of his sister Salome, for conspiracy. He also executed another brother-in-law, Aristobulus III, by drowning, as he feared that the Romans would favour Aristobulus as the ruler of Judea instead of him.
Herod's jealousy extended to his wife, Mariamne, whom he deeply loved. Influenced by his sister Salome, Herod eventually had Mariamne executed, along with her mother and her two sons, Alexander and Aristobulus. Herod's jealousy and paranoia also led to the infamous Massacre of the Innocents, where he ordered the killing of all male children in Bethlehem, fearing that a child could challenge him for the title of "King of the Jews".
Herod's violent nature was also directed towards his own sons. He killed Antipater, his third son, just five days before his own death. Herod's reign was characterised by his willingness to eliminate anyone he perceived as a threat, including members of his own family. This ruthless behaviour earned him a reputation as a tyrant, with the New Testament portraying him as such.
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Herod's fear of being overthrown
Herod the Great was a Roman-appointed king of Judea, known for his colossal building projects and tyrannical rule. He was of Arab origin, born in southern Palestine in 73 or 72 BCE. Herod's father, Antipater, was a wealthy and influential Edomite who supported Pompey's invasion of Palestine in 63 BCE, beginning a long association with Rome.
Herod's reign was marked by his fear of being overthrown, which drove him to murder anyone he perceived as a threat, including members of his own family. He is said to have been a "slave to his passions" and "of great barbarity toward all men equally". This fear of losing power can be traced back to his early life, when he was restrained from punishing Hyrcanus, the Hasmonean king, only by the intervention of his father and brother. This suggests that Herod had a long-standing desire for power and control, which, when achieved, he would defend at all costs.
Herod's paranoia and brutality are evident in his response to the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, whom he saw as a potential rival to his throne. In what became known as the Massacre of the Innocents, Herod ordered the killing of all male children in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and younger. This event is depicted in the Nativity story, where Herod is portrayed as a tyrant prepared to kill infants to protect his title as "King of the Jews".
Herod's reign was characterised by his ruthless pursuit of power and his willingness to commit heinous acts to maintain control. His fear of being overthrown drove him to extreme actions, leaving a legacy of both success and tyrannical rule.
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Herod's other victims
Herod the Great, the Roman Jewish client king of the Herodian kingdom of Judea, was a man known for his colossal building projects and tyrannical rule. He was intensely jealous of his position and killed anyone he regarded as a threat to his kingdom.
Herod is also known for the Massacre of the Innocents, where he ordered the execution of all male children who were two years old and under in the vicinity of Bethlehem. This was done due to his fear that someone would rise up and overthrow his kingdom, and the title of "King of the Jews" would be taken from him. The number of deaths was once reported to be in the thousands, but modern scholarship finds no evidence of this outside the Gospel of Matthew.
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Herod's legacy
Herod the Great, the Roman-appointed king of Judea, was known for his violent outbursts and tyrannical rule. His legacy is one of both success and brutality, with a penchant for eliminating anyone he perceived as a threat to his power, including members of his own family.
Herod's reign was marked by a series of murders and executions, including those of his brother-in-law, wife, mother-in-law, and three of his sons. He is also infamous for the Massacre of the Innocents, where he ordered the killing of all male children in Bethlehem, out of fear that they could challenge his title as "King of the Jews". This act solidified his reputation as a tyrant and a ruthless ruler.
Herod's paranoia and violent tendencies were well-documented. He systematically eliminated anyone he regarded as a potential threat, including his sister Salome's husband, Joseph, and his wife's grandfather. He also executed his brother-in-law, Kostobar, for conspiracy, and drowned another brother-in-law, Aristobulus III, due to his own insecurities about Roman favor.
Despite his successes, Herod's rule was marred by political and family intrigues. His violent behaviour and murderous rampage within his own family, including the execution of his wife, Mariamne, and their sons, Alexander and Aristobulus IV, paint a picture of a ruler driven by jealousy and paranoia. Herod's actions were influenced by his sister Salome, who poisoned his mind against his wife, ultimately leading to her demise.
In summary, Herod's legacy is a complex one. While he is credited with architectural achievements and the improvement of his kingdom's prosperity, his tyrannical behaviour, paranoia, and brutal elimination of anyone perceived as a threat, including innocent children, have left an indelible stain on his reign.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. Herod had his brother-in-law, Aristobulus III, drowned at a party. He also executed his other brother-in-law, Kostobar.
Herod feared that the Jews would appoint Aristobulus III as King of the Jews instead of him.
Herod was always fearful that someone would rise up and overthrow his kingdom, so he systematically killed anyone he regarded as a threat. This included his wife, Mariamne, her mother, her grandfather, and two of her sons.
