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'''King Herod the Great''' (73-4 B.C.) was the pro-Roman king who ruled for 33 years over [[Jerusalem]] and all of [[Palestine]].  Herod was supported in this appointment by [[Mark Antony]]. The Roman Senate crowned him as king and supplied him with troops.  

'''King Herod the Great''' (73-4 B.C.) was the pro-Roman king who ruled for 33 years over [[Jerusalem]] and all of [[Palestine]].  Herod was supported in this appointment by [[Mark Antony]]. The Roman Senate crowned him as king and supplied him with troops.  

Herod had an Arabian mother and was not considered to be Jewish, which caused some resentment.  His reign was one of major building projects and moderization in Palestine, but tending toward [[Hellenization]] that angered the Jewish people.  He was also very protective of his power and ended the lives of much of his family.  Herod is recorded to have committed many atrocities in history.  The killing of all children under the age of two in the vicinity of [[Bethlehem]] depicted in the [[Matthew|Gospel of Matthew] was ordered by Herod <ref>Matthew 2:16</ref>.  It was Herod who the angel warned Joseph to flee from when he went with [[Virgin Mary|Mary]] and [[Jesus]] down to [[Egypt]]<ref>Matthew 2:13</ref>.  Herod's death in 4 B.C. is used to help date the birth of Jesus in connection with the account of the visit of the three Magi visiting Herod before finding the infant Jesus.<ref>Matthew 2:1-8</ref>   

Herod had an Arabian mother and was not considered to be Jewish, which caused some resentment.  His reign was one of major building projects and moderization in Palestine, but tending toward [[Hellenization]] that angered the Jewish people.  He was also very protective of his power and ended the lives of much of his family.  Herod is recorded to have committed many atrocities in history.  The killing of all children under the age of two in the vicinity of [[Bethlehem]] depicted in the [[Matthew|Gospel of Matthew]] was ordered by Herod <ref>Matthew 2:16</ref>.  It was Herod who the angel warned Joseph to flee from when he went with [[Virgin Mary|Mary]] and [[Jesus]] down to [[Egypt]]<ref>Matthew 2:13</ref>.  Herod's death in 4 B.C. is used to help date the birth of Jesus in connection with the account of the visit of the three Magi visiting Herod before finding the infant Jesus.<ref>Matthew 2:1-8</ref>   

Herod is credited with improving Palestine by building a new temple in Jerusalem, cities, palaces, aqueducts and fortresses (Masada, which was protection for himself if he ever needed it).  He constructed the port of Caesarea in honor of Augustus.  He held the Olympic games of 12 B.C.  At his death his holdings were divided among some of his living sons, and still under overall Roman overseeing.

Herod is credited with improving Palestine by building a new temple in Jerusalem, cities, palaces, aqueducts and fortresses (Masada, which was protection for himself if he ever needed it).  He constructed the port of Caesarea in honor of Augustus.  He held the Olympic games of 12 B.C.  At his death his holdings were divided among some of his living sons, and still under overall Roman overseeing.