We all know the story of King Herod from Sunday School. Though he died more than 2,000 years ago, his real story only appears to be unfolding as archaelogists explore Herodium, a grand complex designed by the king on a man-made hill south of Jerusalem.
Herod was born in 73 B.C. and belonged to an important and influential family. He gained power by conciliating the Romans and, by doing so, became more politically powerful. When his father was murdered and Judaea was invaded in 40 B.C., Herod fled to Rome, where the Senate, impressed by his allegiance, named him King of Judaea.
Herod returned with a Roman army and captured Jerusalem in 37 B.C. With Rome's support Herod's territory and wealth grew, which he used to undertake ambitious building projects, including the Herodium and his famed Temple on Jerusalem's Temple Mount.
Recent study shows that Herod's 33-year rule was marked by architectural wonders not previously attributed to the King. There was, however, a darker side to this genius who could act with extraordinary cruelty over those he ruled. It was near the end of his life that Herod allegedly ordered his most infamous act: the killing of all male infants in Bethlehem. His goal was the death of the baby Jesus, whom prophets said would become King of the Jews.
Herod died in 4 B.C. in Jericho and is now believed to have been put to rest in his tomb carved into the moutain's top seen above.
National Geographic's website carries a full story with pictures here.
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