Herod
Appointed governor of Galilee. His efforts to raise taxes lead to a revolt by Hezekiah, setting a pattern for an endless cycle of violence. Later he became King of Roman Judea. The memory of his brutal regime cast a shadow over the people of Galilee and prove influential in the ministry of Jesus. A secret police force under Herod encouraged people to inform on one another. An elaborate construction program built fortifi s castles. Most famous of these is the citadel of Masada. The fortress of Machaerus is where John the Baptist was put to death by Herod’s son. The Herodion South of Bethlehem uncovered Herod’s Palace and what is believed to be his sarcophagus. In Samaria Herod built a city called Sebaste. Designed like a Greek polish it had a forum, theater, and temple dedicated to Rome. He constructed a deep sea harbor on the Mediterranean called Sebastos with a new city built around it called Cesarean Maritime. This construction and trade created a boom economy that benefited elites. The vast majority of Jews living in rural communities saw little of this wealth and were taxed greatly. In Jerusalem Herod built a large amphitheater for gladiator battles. He also built a palace for himself. This introduction of Hellenism was bound to upset observant Jews in Judea. To calm his restive kingdom he transformed the second temple in Jerusalem to the largest sanctuary of the ancient world. This was done by building a large colonnades court supported by large retaining walls. One of these, the Western Wall, is the holiest place in Judaism. (Kremer, 2024)