Herod

"Samuel Rocca analyzes the Herodian society. The most important facet of his analysis is the relationship between Herod as ruler and the Jewish subjects over whom he ruled. The author contends that Herod, though a Jewish ruler, regarded both Alexander the Great - the embodiment of the Hellenistic ruler - and Augustus as ideal models who were worthy of imitation. In fact, Herod pushed Judaea towards major Hellenization, albeit with many elements more akin to Rome." "The author's research, therefore, is not a biographical study of King Herod. Instead, it deals with Herod as the head of Jewish society in Judaea. It is first and foremost a study of Herodian society. Thus the author analyzes the Herodian ideology of rule, the court, the army, the administration, the economy, the ruling political bodies, the city as microcosm, the religion, and the burial customs." --Book Jacket.

Herod: King of the Jews and Friend of the Romans examines the life, work, and influence of this controversial figure, who remains the most highly visible of the Roman client kings under Augustus. Herod’s rule shaped the world in which Christianity arose and his influence can still be seen today. In this expanded second edition, additions to the original text include discussion of the archaeological evidence of Herod’s activity, his building program, numismatic evidence, and consideration of the roles and activities of other client kings in relation to Herod. This volume includes new maps and numerous photographs, and these coupled with the new additions to the text make this a valuable tool for those interested in the wider Roman world of the late first century BCE at both under- and postgraduate levels. Herod remains the definitive study of the life and activities of the king known traditionally as Herod the Great.

This extraordinary book explores the personal history of Herod the Great. It considers Herod's life in the context of his relationship with the Jewish people and the Gospel account of Jesus Christ. A "great" man, Herod was a political genius who quickly turned the worst of situations into the greatest of opportunities. He rose above every situation that challenged him, even at his darkest hour. Nevertheless, Herod was beset with significant character flaws. His lust for power overwhelmed his sense of morality. Herod the Great measures the true nature of "greatness" upon the human psyche.

Herod, ruler of Judea at a pivotal time (40–4 BCE) in the region’s history, was Rome’s most famous client king. In this volume, Herod’s coinage benefits from a comprehensive reappraisal. The coins and dies have been thoroughly examined, resulting in innovative iconographic and technological interpretations. Study of the coins’ presence in hoards, their archaeological contexts and geographical distribution, together with other typological, epigraphic and numismatic observations, have aided in establishing that all of the types were minted in Jerusalem. A new relative chronology of Herod’s dated and undated coins is the most important by-product of this study. Finally, an attempt is made to peg this seriation to known events within the king’s reign.