Herodian

Herodian refers to a dynasty of Hellenistic-Roman era rulers in Judea and surrounding regions, and to the political faction associated with them. It also denotes the period and material culture linked to that era. The term derives from Herod the Great, who ruled as the Roman client king of Judea from about 37 BCE to 4 BCE. Herod established a dynastic line that administered Judea for several decades under Roman sovereignty and engaged in large-scale building programs in Jerusalem and the broader Levant.

The Herodian dynasty included Herod's sons Archelaus, who ruled Judea from 4 BCE to 6 CE; Antipas, ruler of Galilee and Perea; and Philip, ruler of a tetrarchy in the northeast. After Archelaus' deposition, Judea became a Roman province, but members of the Herodian family continued to hold positions and titles, notably Agrippa I (reigned 41–44 CE) and Agrippa II (50–93 CE). The term "Herodian" is often used to describe the broader late Second Temple period associated with their rule, as well as architecture and urban projects associated with them, such as Caesarea Maritima, the Temple complex expansion, and fortifications like Masada.

In the New Testament, the Herodians were a political faction allied with the Herodian dynasty and the Roman authorities in debates over taxation, allegiance, and the status of Jesus; their exact identity and beliefs remain a matter of scholarly debate.

Cultural and archaeological usage includes the designation "Herodian" for artifacts, coins, and pottery associated with the late Second Temple period, reflecting the material culture of the era.