Herod the Great born 73 or 74 BCE, died 4 BCE, Edomite from Idumea. King of the Jews: First governor of the Galilee, then, from 37 BCE until his death in 4 BCE, king of Judea. Builder: monumental reconstruction of the temple; also builds the Antonia Fortress, maybe also a theatre and an amphitheatre. Statesman: An ambitious, cruel and paranoid person. Has his own son Aristobulus executed in 7 BCE. Politician: Very skilled in dealing with the Roman domination; develops the country and achieves relative social stability. During the battle at Actium, Herod first sides with Anthony, but switches allegiance at the last minute and backs Octavian. This earns him Augustus's confirmation as King of Israel.
The Land under Roman Rule, 4 BCE to 36 CE After Herod, the land is divided into a procuratorship and three territories: Procuratorship: Judea, Samaria and Idumea territory of Herod Archelaus 4 BCE to 6 CE, cf. Matt 2:22. He was deposed by the Romans, because of his cruelty Territory of Herod Antipas: Galilee, Perea until 39 CE; beheaded John the Baptist, cf. Matt 14:3 Territory of Herod Philip II: Iturea, Gaulanitis, Trachonitis cf. Luke 3:1; not Luke 6:17 = older half-brother Herod Philip I Part of Roman prov. of Syria: Phoenicia, Abilene, Decapolis cf. Luke 2:2, Matt 4:24; Acts 20:3; Gal 1:22
The Land under Roman Rule, 37-66 Agrippa I (37-44) last king of all the Jews Son of Aristobulus and grandson of Herod the Great. Herod had his son executed in 7 BCE, but spared his grandson Agrippa. From 37 CE - king of Galilee and Perea. From 41 to 44 king also of Judea and Samaria. From 44 Roman procurators in Judea again.
The Land under Roman Rule, 37-66 Agrippa I (37-44), last king of all the Jews Agrippa II (44-66) Agrippa was only a boy when his father died. He gradually succeeded him in some of his territories. But Judaea was again put under a procurator. His sister Drusilla was married to Marcus Antonius Felix, the procurator of Judaea, 52-58. His other sister Berenice was the mistress of the future emperor Titus. Paul was on trial before two Roman governors: Felix and Festus, who resided in Caesarea. Agrippa visited the trial (cf. Acts 24:25).
The Land under Roman Rule Agrippa I (37-44), last king of all the Jews Agrippa II (44-66) 14 Roman governors (procurators) (also called praefectus) ruled Judea from 6 C.E. until First Jewish War in 66 C.E., except for Agrippa I (41-44 CE). Coponius 6 9 C.E. Marcus Ambibulus 9 12 C.E. Rufus Tineus 12 15 C.E. Valerius Gratus 15 26 C.E. Pontius Pilate 26 36 C.E. Marcellus 36 37 C.E. Marullus 37 41 C.E. (Agrippa I 41-44 C.E.) Cuspius Fadus 44 46 C.E. Tiberius Julius Alexander 46 48 C.E. Ventidius Cumanus 48 52 C.E. Antonius Felix 52 60 C.E. Porcius Festus 60 62 C.E. Albinus 62 64 C.E. Gessius Florus 64 66 C.E. Power of jurisdiction with regard to capital punishment (jus gladii= supreme jurisdiction). Official residence at Caesarea; subject to the Roman legate in Syria. During Jewish festivals, residence temporarily transferred to Jerusalem thousands of pilgrims, who sometimes used the occasion for revolt Roman citizens had the privilege of provocatio, i.e., the right to transfer the trial from the provincial governor to the emperor (cf. the case of Paul, Acts 25:10 12; cf. 22:25ff.).
Tiberias - established in 20 CE by Herod Antipas, in honor of emperor Tiberius
Roman villa at Sepphoris, in NT times, a large, Roman-influenced city
Caesarea Maritima
Caesarea Caesarea, the harbor
Caesarea Caesarea, Herod s Palace
Caesarea, view on site
Pilate-inscription found at Caesarea Maritima in 1961 TIBERIEVM PONTIUS PILATVS PRAEFECTVS IVDAEA Picture of copy in Vatican Museum
Jerusalem Old City, aerial view
Jerusalem Old City, aerial view Fort Antonia
Model of Herod s theatre in Jerusalem
Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs) According to tradition, the steps that led up to the Praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem, where Jesus Christ stood on his way to trial. The stairs were, reputedly, brought to Rome in the 4 th century by St. Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. For centuries, the Scala Santa has attracted Christian pilgrims who wished to honor the Passion of Jesus.
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple, 70 CE Land of Israel in New Testament Times History & Roman Rule
Land Destruction of Israel in of New Jerusalem Testament and Times Temple, History 70 & CE Roman Rule Francesco Hayez 1867
Relief in Arch of Titus
Emperors on Coins Vespasianus Iudaea capta Titus Iudaea capta
Masada Herod s Palace on the north slope
Masada Land of Israel looking New east Testament the Times ramp History & Roman Rule