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→Herod's Death
Herod's death is a major [[epoch]] of the New Testament, because Flavius [[Josephus]] records a precise regnal period: 37 years after the Senate had confirmed him as client-king, and 34 years following the execution of Aristobulus. Furthermore, Josephus includes an [[Astronomical dating|astronomical reference]], specifically to an eclipse of the [[moon]] that occurred shortly before his death. These events strongly suggest that Herod died in 4 BC.<ref name=Catholic/><ref name=Greetham2>Greetham, The Rev. Phil. "[http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/p_greetham/wisemen/chron2.html The Death of King Herod]." ''[http://www.btinternet.com/~prgreetham/Wisemen/home.html The Nativity Pages],'' 2001. Retrieved June 18, 2007.</ref> Ussher agrees with this, and calculates his death at November 25, 4 BC, which was the 7th day of the month Chisleu or [[Kislev]]. However, Josephus says that Herod died shortly before [[Passover]] in that year, which would have taken place in April. (The [[Julian calendar]] was then in use, this after Julius Caesar had compelled its adoption in 45 BC, shortly before his assassination.)
Herod's death is a major [[epoch]] of the New Testament, because Flavius [[Josephus]] records a precise regnal period: 37 years after the Senate had confirmed him as client-king, and 34 years following the execution of Aristobulus. Furthermore, Josephus includes an [[Astronomical dating|astronomical reference]], specifically to an eclipse of the [[moon]] that occurred shortly before his death. These events strongly suggest that Herod died in 4 BC.<ref name=Catholic/><ref name=Greetham2>Greetham, The Rev. Phil. "[http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/p_greetham/wisemen/chron2.html The Death of King Herod]." ''[http://www.btinternet.com/~prgreetham/Wisemen/home.html The Nativity Pages],'' 2001. Retrieved June 18, 2007.</ref> Ussher agrees with this, and calculates his death at November 25, 4 BC, which was the 7th day of the month Chisleu or [[Kislev]]. However, Josephus says that Herod died shortly before [[Passover]] in that year, which would have taken place in April. (The [[Julian calendar]] was then in use, this after Julius Caesar had compelled its adoption in 45 BC, shortly before his assassination.)
=== Herod's Burial ===
For centuries, the final burial site of Herod the Great was unknown. Then on May 8, 2007, [[Archaeology|archaeologist]] Ehud Netzer found the remains of a [[mausoleum]] and pieces of an eight-[[Foot (length)|foot]] coffin at the end of a staircase in the Herodium. This tomb bears no identification, but no personage other than Herod is known from the period who would likely be buried in such a tomb in such a place.<ref name=Netzer>Govier, Gordon. "[http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/july/5.14.html Tyrant's Tomb Unearthed: Herod the Great's final resting place said to be found]." ''[http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/ Christianity Today]'' Online, June 28, 2007. Retrieved June 28, 2007.</ref>
== Succession ==
== Succession ==