King over
Judea at the time of Jesus' birth. |
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Towers built by Herod in Jerusalem
Replica
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Herod the Great ruled
Judea from 37-4 BC. He was a superb
military leader who secured control of the region in cooperation with
Rome. A skilled builder, Herod completely remodeled the Jerusalem Temple, designed Caesarea and other cities,
and built palaces at Jerusalem, Masada, and other places. Herod was king
at the time Jesus was born. Matthew's gospel relates
that Herod massacred the children in and around Bethlehem and that Joseph,
Mary, and Jesus fled to Egypt at the time, but returned
to Nazareth after Herod's death.
Matt
2:1-23
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