Herod

The story starts with ANTIPATER, born a ROMAN in the year 113 BCE. He died in 43 BCE. He travels through TURKEY, ISRAEL and into ARABIA. Where he scouts and found the KING ARETAS, KING of the NABATEANS and he marries his daughter CYPROS.

KING ARETAS, was known as ‘Friend of his people’ and a powerful neighbour of JUDEA.

This marriage gives ROME a foothold deep inside ISRAELIAN TERRITORY. This newly wedded couple settles in JUDEA. They had four sons, PHASAELUS, HEROD THE GREAT, JOSEPH (we do not know much about him) and PHERORAS and a daughter SALOME. Although these siblings were of ROMAN descent, they are known as IDUMEAN Citizens.

ANTIPATER, comes face to face with MATTATHIAS head of the HERODIAN DYNASTY, and he tells him if he wants to stay he must convert to JUDAISM. This he does, and this impresses MATTATHIAS.

We focus on HEROD, he was born in 75 BCE, and he died 4 BCE. Now, he is connected to ARABIA, IDUMEA, JUDEA and ROME. As well as the friendship with the HEAD of the HERODIANS, all in one sweep of his birth, and as they say, let the games begin.

HEROD, marries DORIS, his first wife, the daughter of a HELLENIZED IDUMEAN, living in JERUSALEM, whilst he was Governor of GALILEE and PETRA, both clients of ROME.

Then he marries MARIAMNE I, who was a MACCABEE, then he marries MARIAMNE II, the daughter of SIMON BOETHUS, the HIGH PRIEST, who was a citizen of ALEXANDRIA. Then he marries MALTHACE, the daughter of OLYMPIAS, whose sons were ARCHELAUS and ANTIPAS. They disputed their father’s will. MALTHACE died in 4 BCE, and he marries CLEOPATRA THEA, thereafter five more marriages.

All of these marriages over a 68-Years life span, were all marriages for POWER and POSITION. HEROD THE GREAT, now has a foothold in many more countries including ROME, his ancestral country.

HEROD, builds many buildings throughout ISRAEL and JUDEA. He is also known to have repaired the TEMPLE OF KING SOLOMON in JERUSALEM.

He was responsible for the building of the HARBOUR of CAESAREA MARITIMA, and the fortress at MASADA and HERODIUM. Most of the information about HEROD THE GREAT was crossreferenced with the writings of the HISTORIAN JOSEPH FLAVIUS.

HEROD’S father was trusted by ROME and in turn was given the PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE by ‘dictator’ JULIUS CAESAR. ANTIPATER in turn gives HEROD, GALILEE, and it is said that he ‘Farmed,’ the TAXES of the region. ANTIPATER also gave a similar post to his son PHASAEL and he was just as comfortable to ‘Farm’ the TAXES of JERUSALEM.

All of the above are not enough for HEROD and he take a trip and makes friends with SEXTUS CAESAR, the acting GOVERNOR of SYRIA. This meeting which leads to HEROD being appointed GENERAL of COELESYRIA (meaning all of the regions of SYRIA) including SAMARIA, which included DAMASCUS, LEBANON, and all within the BEQAA VALLEY.

ROME, applauds him and the JEWISH SANHEDRIN despises his obvious ‘brutality.’

41 BCE, MARK ANTHONY names HEROD and his brother PHASAEL, as TETRARCHS, a ROMAN System of control. They were placed in this role to support HYRCANUS II, of the HASMONAEAN DYNASTY.

40 BCE, ANTIGONUS, HYRCANUS’S nephew took the JUDEAN THRONE, with the help of the PARTHIANS. HEROD flees to ROME and pleads to have HYRCANUS II restored to power. ROME, had a special interest in JUDEA, as POMPEY had laid claim to JERUSALEM in 63 BCE., already. HEROD’S plea is honoured, and he is made KING of the JEWS by the ROMAN SENATE. HEROD, returns to JUDEA, but it was not as easy as he thought. He finds a way, and marries the granddaughter of HYRCANUS II, and he secures his claim to the THRONE, as he claims some JEWISH favour. Unfortunately, he banishes DORIS.

37 BCE, HEROD, and the GOVERNOR of SYRIA, SOSIUS, and MARK ANTHONY set out with a large army and takes JERUSALEM. ANTIGONUS is executed by MARK ANTHONY, and HEROD takes the role as SOLE RULER of JUDEA and the title of KING.

Over the years POWER and GREED consumed HEROD and it is written that he even went as far as to kill his sons, and members of his family including the mother of his sons, MARIAMNE I.

After the death of ANTIGONUS, the HASMONEAN DYNASTY ends in 34 BCE.

HEROD’S rule marks a new beginnings in the HISTORY of JUDEA.

As he takes his ‘seat’ the first threat came from his mother-in-law, ALEXANDRA, who sought power for her family, the HASMONEANS, whose DYNASTY, HEROD had overthrown, when he had her son ARISTOBULUS II assassinated, 53 BCE.

HEROD’s second threat came when a power struggle ensued between the ROMAN LEADER OCTAVIA, later known as AUGUSTUS, and MARK ANTONY. HEROD chose the side of MARK ANTONY.

31 BCE., MARK ANTONY lost to OCTAVIA/AUGUSTUS and HEROD’S Rule is threatened again. HEROD, had to think fast before meeting with OCTAVIA. The meeting with OCTAVIA is focussed on the TRADE ROUTE through JUDEA, ISRAEL, and SYRIA, and HEROD assures OCTAVIA, that he will ensure that the ROUTE is well secured. OCTAVIA / AUGUSTUS is pleased, and HEROD retains his KINGSHIP.

HEROD had to strengthen his personal security, and employs 2 000 soldiers, to watch over him and his family, at home and on their travels. It is written that half of his bodyguards were a CELTIC contingents, and it was a gift from AUGUSTUS. This was a necessary evil, because the people of ISRAEL and JUDEA did not agree with HEROD’S new management rules and laws.

HEROD, was very clever. When he undertook to build the PORT at CAESAREA, he used the latest in technologies, such as, hydraulics Cement (this is a binder, a chemical substance, that sets, hardens and adheres to other materials to bind them together). It is why he could build the underwater constructions required for the CAESAREA HARBOUR.

HEROD had to gain favour, and he builds SEBASTIA, a PALESTINE Village 12 kilometres Northwest of the city of NABLUS.

A short stop. The killing of children under the age of 2, as it is said by MATTHEW in the New Testament, I think MATTHEW, got a bit economical with the truth, there is no true evidence of this story ever happening.

No matter what HEROD tried during his life time. Nor what his successors tried, they could not win the favour of the people, or the churches, such as the PHARISEES and the SADDUCEES. It all blew up into the FIRST JEWISH ROMAN REVOLT as documented, in 66 BCE., and was followed by the destruction of JERUSALEM and the destruction of KING SOLOMONS TEMPLE, with only the West Wall still remaining today.