Roman Jerusalem started after the defeat of the Hasmonean Dynasty. The Roman General, Pompey, annexes Jerusalem for Rome in 63 BCE. Hyrcanus is appointed as ethnarch: a ruler of an ethnicity or people. Antipater is chosen as a procurator (governor). Antipater is from Idumea, one of the surrounding regions that had been forcibly Judaized under the Hasmoneans. Pompey commits an Abomination of Desolation in 63 BCE by entering the Holy of Holies. Antipater is then murdered and his son, Herod, exacts revenge. Herod eventually fights the Parthians in the Parthian invasion and expels them. He asks for backing as King of Judea from Rome and Rome agrees. Herod becomes Herod the Great, client-king for Rome.
Herod the Great was at once a brutal dictator and a good king to Jerusalem. Having been Judaized, he knew Jewish tradition (no graven images, etc...) and could be sensitive to the Jews while currying favor with Rome. He was however, a brutal dictator (impulsive, paranoid and murdered everyone). He was an effective king for Rome, but was hated by the Jews. He is best known for his massive building projects. He expanded built the retaining wall around the Temple Mount which is the size of 15 football fields and consists of walls over 80 feet tall. He also built Caesarea, tribute to Rome, while far enough away from Jerusalem as to not anger the Jews. Having the technology of concrete that hardens under water, he also was able to build a port and lighthouse - the Caesarea Maritima. He also built the Herodion, located south of Jerusalem. He had built a massive mountain, after which the built the palace at the top down into the mountain. It is possible that he is buried there.
Despite having the Jews hate him, Herod was a good king. He was sensitive to Jewish customs and did not defile the Temple and allowed for the selection of the High Priest. He never put his face on coins and offered relief during famines, along with jobs due to his projects. He did however, collect taxes for the Romans and was only half-Jewish. Jesus was born several years before Herod's death and the time and life of Jesus existed during the Roman period of Jerusalem.
Herod the Great was at once a brutal dictator and a good king to Jerusalem. Having been Judaized, he knew Jewish tradition (no graven images, etc...) and could be sensitive to the Jews while currying favor with Rome. He was however, a brutal dictator (impulsive, paranoid and murdered everyone). He was an effective king for Rome, but was hated by the Jews. He is best known for his massive building projects. He expanded built the retaining wall around the Temple Mount which is the size of 15 football fields and consists of walls over 80 feet tall. He also built Caesarea, tribute to Rome, while far enough away from Jerusalem as to not anger the Jews. Having the technology of concrete that hardens under water, he also was able to build a port and lighthouse - the Caesarea Maritima. He also built the Herodion, located south of Jerusalem. He had built a massive mountain, after which the built the palace at the top down into the mountain. It is possible that he is buried there.
Despite having the Jews hate him, Herod was a good king. He was sensitive to Jewish customs and did not defile the Temple and allowed for the selection of the High Priest. He never put his face on coins and offered relief during famines, along with jobs due to his projects. He did however, collect taxes for the Romans and was only half-Jewish. Jesus was born several years before Herod's death and the time and life of Jesus existed during the Roman period of Jerusalem.
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