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What did King Herod do to the Jews?
Herod ruled Judea from 37 BC. The Bible says he initiated a murder of all the infants in Bethlehem in an attempt to get rid of the baby Jesus.
Who was king of Judea when Jesus was crucified?
King Herod, sometimes called “Herod the Great” (circa 74 to 4 B.C.) was a king of Judea who ruled the territory with Roman approval. While Judea was an independent kingdom it was under heavy Roman influence and Herod came to power with Roman support.
Was Pilate a Roman?
According to the traditional account of his life, Pilate was a Roman equestrian (knight) of the Samnite clan of the Pontii (hence his name Pontius). He was appointed prefect of Judaea through the intervention of Sejanus, a favourite of the Roman emperor Tiberius.
Would You Rather Be Herod’s pig than his son?
As a matter or fact, Augustus himself, to whom Herod was always very deferent, said, “I would rather be Herod’s pig than his son.” It is a double pun. In Greek it is choiros and huios, a clever turn on words, and the other idea is that at least pigs weren’t slaughtered for human consumption over there; they had a better chance at a longer life.
What was the significance of Herod’s rule in Judea?
Herod’s rule marked a new beginning in the history of Judea. Judea had been ruled autonomously by the Hasmonean kings from 140 BCE until 63 BCE. The Hasmonean kings retained their titles, but became clients of Rome after the conquest by Pompey in 63 BCE.
How did Herod win the favor of the Pharisees?
The people, instead, placed their loyalty in the Pharisees. Realizing this, Herod used his wealth to win the Pharisees’ favor, and they proclaimed that he was made king by God’s judgment, thus deserving Jewish respect and obedience. Their support helped abate the Jews’ hatred and calmed unrest.
Why was King Herod a vassal of the Roman Empire?
Herod was granted the title of “King of Judea” by the Roman Senate. As such, he was a vassal of the Roman Empire, expected to support the interests of his Roman patrons. Nonetheless, just when Herod obtained leadership in Judea, his rule faced two threats. The first threat came from his mother-in-law Alexandra,…