Herod

Herod refers to the Herodian dynasty, a line of rulers who governed Judea and surrounding regions under Roman suzerainty from roughly the late 1st century BCE into the 1st century CE. The dynasty arose in the context of Roman political influence in the eastern Mediterranean and included several dynastic members who held varying titles and territories, from kings to tetrarchs and ethnarchs.

The most prominent figure is Herod the Great, who ruled as King of Judea from 37 BCE to 4 BCE after being installed by Rome. He sought to legitimize his reign through ambitious building programs and strategic alliances. His projects included expanding the Second Temple in Jerusalem, founding the coastal city of Caesarea Maritima, and constructing or fortifying sites such as Masada and the fortress-palace at Herodium. His reign combined significant architectural achievement with harsh measures against opponents and rivals.

After his death, his kingdom was divided among his sons: Archelaus governed Judea, Samaria, and Idumea; Antipas ruled Galilee and Perea; and Philip II governed Iturea and Trachonitis. The dynasty continued through generations, including Agrippa I and Agrippa II, but the region increasingly came under direct Roman administration. The Herodian line persisted in various forms until the mid-1st century, when Roman reorganizations following Jewish revolts reshaped the governance of the area.

Historically, Herod is a controversial figure. In Jewish sources he is viewed as a powerful, often ruthless ruler who maintained Roman control, while in Christian tradition he appears in Gospel narratives, notably in connection with the Flight into Egypt and the Massacre of the Innocents; modern scholarship questions historicity of some episodes. Archaeological remains confirm aspects of his building program and political role, though many details remain debated.