Part 1/8:
Herod the Great: Architect of a Legacy Built on Blood
Herod the Great, a name synonymous with cruelty and paranoia, dominated Judea from 37 BCE until his death in 4 BCE. A ruler placed in power by Roman influence, his reign was marked by significant architectural achievements and violent acts of brutality. A usurper of the Hasmonean dynasty, he was seen as a puppet of Rome, sacrificing Jewish national pride for power. This article delves into the tumultuous life of a king whose legacy is as complex as the land he ruled.