Definition

Proper noun A historical figure, Herod I, also known as Herod the Great, was the Roman client king of Judea from 37 to 4 BCE. He is known for his extensive building projects, including the expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, and for his ruthlessly effective, though often brutal, rule. In the New Testament of the Christian Bible, he is infamously associated with the Massacre of the Innocents.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Herod the Great commissioned the construction of the port city of Caesarea Maritima.
  • The historical accounts of Herod the Great describe a complex ruler who was both a prolific builder and a paranoid tyrant.
  • According to the Gospel of Matthew, Herod the Great ordered the killing of children in Bethlehem.

Advanced Usage

• "Herodian": Pertaining to Herod the Great or his dynasty.
  • The Herodian architecture is a distinct style from that period.
• Used as a byword for a cruel and suspicious ruler, particularly in literary or rhetorical contexts.
  • The dictator was compared to Herod the Great in his willingness to eliminate perceived threats.

Variants and Related Words

• Herod I: The formal historical designation.
• Herodian dynasty: The ruling family founded by Herod the Great.
• Herodium: A fortified palace complex built by Herod the Great, believed to be his burial site.

Synonyms

• The King of Judea (context-specific)
• Client King (describing his political role under Rome)

Related Phrases

• Massacre of the Innocents: The biblical narrative associated with his rule.
• Herod's Temple: Refers to the renovated Second Temple, a major construction project he initiated.

Noun

1. king of Judea who (according to the New Testament) tried to kill Jesus by ordering the death of all children under age two in Bethlehem (73-4 BC)