Herod - the Great?

Herod the Great

When we think of Herod, we consider him to be the “villain” of the Christmas story. Herod is really a fascinating character in his own right – even outside the Biblical story. Fortunately, history tells us much about Herod and his descendants – though the focus of this paper will be on Herod himself.

Here’s what we know from the Biblical record.
Brief mention in Luke 1:5 – “In the days of Herod…”
Matthew 2:1-22 – With the Magi, deception, and killing of the babies in Bethlehem; death noted in v19

Herod was the son of Antipater, and Edomite converted to Judaism, who rose to power in Judea under Julius Caesar. In 63 BC, Rome invaded and occupied Palestine , supported by Antipater. In 47 BC, Julius Caesar gave him and his family Roman citizenship and made him governor of Judea. Antipater then appointed his son Herod the governor of Galilee under him, and eventually succeeded him after Antipater’s death. Herod quickly proved himself an able administrator and leader – suppressing crime and bringing an enforced peace to the area. Through his whole life, Herod had a challenge walking the line between being a Jew and being a Roman – and won very few friends among the Jewish people for his efforts.

In 44 BC, Julius Caesar was stabbed on the Ides of March. This led, through a series of events, to a civil war in the empire between Augustus and Mark Antony (whose Mistress was Cleopatra). Herod had been supported in his ambitions by Mark Antony and considered him a close friend, with a very long relationship behind them. Herod threw in his lot with his friend. Herod supplied Mark Antony’s army, advised him, and even led troops into battle against Augustus.

We know how this story ended. Mark Antony and Cleopatra were defeated, and fled to Egypt where they committed suicide around 31 BC. Augustus traveled to Cyprus to be closer to the area, in order to consolidate his empire. Herod was certainly on the ‘most wanted’ list. What was a deposed king to do?

According to Flavius Josephus and other sources, Herod traveled to Augustus’ camp and surrendered himself – asking only for a single audience with Augustus, which Augustus was curious enough to grant. When Herod got his opportunity, he launched into an eloquent and detailed confession of all that he had done. He concluded his confession asking Augustus, “…not to remember whose friend I was, but what a good friend I was.”

Augustus was so moved, he took a chance on Herod and reinstated him as King over Judea, even adding lands to those he previously held. Augustus never regretted his decision as Herod proved to be fiercely loyal and a very able administrator of that corner of the Empire. The two remained close friends to the end of their lives.

Herod built a strong series of fortresses along the Eastern portion of the Roman Empire, securing the border. He built Caesarea Maritima, a major seaport city which plays a part in Acts. He built many roads throughout his domain and brought many improvements to Jerusalem, including the Temple renovation, including the Antonia Fortress (possibly named after Mark Antony). Jerusalem also saw many Roman public facilities, including a theater, amphitheater, and hippodrome, new water channels, and renovation of the Pool of Siloam. He built a number of palaces for himself in different areas of his empire and was a major benefactor to cities throughout the entire Roman Empire. Peter Richardson’s book Herod contains an appendix with 6 pages full of verified projects funded by Herod. Archaeology continues to find more even to this day. Herod even endowed the Olympic Games in his day.

Herod also, considering himself to be a practicing Jew, was an advocate for dispersed Jewish people throughout the Roman Empire, even funding synagogues in various cities.

In his later years, Herod suffered from arteriosclerosis, and likely from other ailments which were painful and uncomfortable. As he grew older, he became increasingly unstable and his children began to angle for favorable position in the inheritance. Herod had ten wives and at least fourteen children. His favorite wife, Mariamne, and her two sons fell victim to his paranoia and he had them murdered. Augustus is said to have remarked that “it is safer to be Herod’s pig than to be Herod’s son.” After Mariamne’s death, some accounts speak of Herod wandering the halls of his palace late at night calling her name in delirium.

It was in these last years, that Magi from the East came to Jerusalem asking, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews…?” (Mt 2:2). Killing the babies in Bethlehem would have been entirely consistent with his deranged character at this time.

As Herod continued his decline, and various treatments failed to improve him, he ordered “the most distinguished men from every village from one end of Judea to the other…to be locked in the hippodrome at Jericho” (Josephus). Herod gave the order to execute them all at the moment of his death, so that any joy over his own death would be dispelled with sorrow. That order was never carried out.

Herod’s grave was not identified until about 2012. When it was opened, they found only a broken sarcophagus and no body.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herodian_architecture#List_of_major_Herodian_building_projects
http://www.bible-history.com/herod_the_great/
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Herod-king-of-Judaea
Richardson, Peter, Herod – King of the Jews and Friend of the Romans, Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1996.