Herod King of the Jews and Friend of the Romans [Paperback]

Peter Richardson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1999

This book provides a stunning look at the king who had an extraordinary impact on Roman-era Palestine. The author integrates historical, archaeological, and social analyses, writing with clarity and enthusiasm for his subject. The charts, maps and diagrams make this a very accessible tool for use in the classroom. Richardson portrays Herod in the complexity of his Judean and Roman frameworks.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Given Herod's prominence in Christian origin accounts, Richardson's detailed historical analysis is sure to generate considerable interest. The account is more scholarly than popular, but it is accessible to a general audience motivated by concern with Christian origins and/or the place of Judaism in the Roman Empire. Richardson attends carefully to the complexity of a character who has often been merely demonized, and is especially helpful in appreciating Herod's "piety" toward both Judaism and Rome. Richardson's portrait of Herod is not always flattering, but it is a compelling portrayal of a skilled politician who--though his family relationships were a disaster--was remarkably adept at making a place for himself and his people in a dangerous world. Steve Schroeder --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Back Cover

"Herod the Great is one of the most fascinating and appalling figures of the ancient world. Peter Richardson's monumental study provides as thorough and as authoritative a documentation and analysis as one could wish for. Particularly valuable is the cataloguing of Herod's amazing achievements as a builder. This is a volume which ancient historians and biblical scholars will want to have readily accessible on their shelves." ---James D. G. Dunn University of Durham

"Richardson has studies Herod from early angle. He writes with verve and scholarly assurance. The result is a fascinating study of one of the great figures in history, in an informed and intelligent way which, together with the momentous events of Herod's reign, is an exciting read. The book is a must for all students of Hellenistic Judaism." ---Alan F. Segal Columbia University

"Peter Richardon's Herod is history at its best---learned, disciplined, accessible, and full of fresh insights into the man and his time. The book vividly shows us the complex and exciting interplay between Herod's ambitions, abilities, and appetites and the historical forces that shaped Israel's politics and society under early Roman rule. Richardson's innovative and engaging reconstruction of Herod is meticulous, fact-based, responsible, and utterly credible. Without question, this book is the new standard against which all future work on Herod will be judged." ---William Scott Green University of Rochester

"Richardson puts Herod's life into context, exploring Herod's family affairs, Hellenism in the Near East, the shaped of Herod's kingdom, his building projects, his relationship with various religious groups in Judea, and the Herodian family's involvement in Christian origins. . . . This book is aimed at both scholars and interested laypersons, and it will meet the needs of both." ---Steve Mason York University

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Product Details

• Paperback: 388 pages
• Publisher: Fortress Press (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800631641
• ISBN-13: 978-0800631642
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,137,270 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A clearer picture of Herod, June 23, 1998

By 

Steve Jackson ([e-mail]) (New Orleans, LA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Herod: King of the Jews and Friend of the Romans (Studies on Personalities of the New Testament) (Hardcover)

Herod has long suffered from the taint of infanticide and his associations with the birth of Christ, as portrayed in the Bible. Peter Richardson's book dispells the myths that have grown up around Herod, and make him a living, breath ing, interesting character in the period of Roman rule of Palestine, and the int ertestamental period of religious history. Herod the builder, Herod the supporte r of the Jewish diaspora and the Olympian games, Herod the master politician - e ach of these aspects of his character are brought vividly to life, and make clea r his very important position in the pre-Christian life of Palestine. This book provides important insights into the life of Herod, his skills as architect and administrator, and uncanny ability to read the political situation and shift all egiance in order to remain in power. An excellent book well worth the effort to read.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fuller picture..., June 5, 2003

By 

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Herod King of the Jews and Friend of the Romans (Paperback)

In Peter Richardson's new book, 'Herod: King of the Jews and Friend of the Romans', we are given a much fuller account of the king who has graduated to being an archtype, almost mythical character who is the embodiment of evil.

'Herod the Great, as he is usually called, was much like Henry VIII, Catherine the Great, of Peter the Great: talented, vigourous, lusty, skillful, charismatic, attractive, decisive, influential--but a disaster in his personal life. Like them, Herod changed his nation's history.'

In a biographical study an author need not like the subject, but it helps if there is something to admire. Herod's personality is not attractive; had I been a contemporary I should not have wanted to spend much time with him.

This having been said, Richardson does find much of interest and intrigue in the character and the deeds of Herod the Great.

Herod was king of the Jews by virtue of his assistance to the Romans who were, during the 50-year period preceding the birth of Jesus and the beginning of the common/Christian era, consolidating power throughout much of the eastern Mediterranean lands. Herod married many times for increasing political and social purposes (a trend that would continue in the Herodian line -- John the Baptist was beheaded primarily for pointing out the marriage difficulties with a later Herod).

Herod the Great, founder of the line that would last and be an influence in Roman and Christian development for some two hundred years, died in 4 BCE, in Jericho, not long after the events that would have created the first Christian martyrs -- the slaying of the newborns of Bethlehem. The timing of his death in Jericho makes it appear to be divine justice, but independent verification of the Biblical story has never been found.

Richardson approaches the historical subject in a somewhat backwards fashion, examining the details of the death of Herod and the aftermath his will and the will of Rome in shaping his legacy to their ends. Using close sources such as Josephus, Richardson then proceeds to examine earlier, less well-documented periods in Herod's life, including his early service to Rome and his attempts at consolidation of power at different points. Shortly before key events that would bring him the favour of the Romans, Herod himself was on trial in Jerusalem for his possible usurpation of power that was not rightfully his -- this bravado, however, found favour with the Romans who followed his career with interest ever after.

Richardson also explores Herod's influence in the building up of Jerusalem into a great city as well as outside projects (major fortresses, palaces, religious and cultural buildings, commercial construction and infrastructure), as well as his support of and rivalry with various religious factions in Jerusalem and surrounding Judea. Herod's relationship with the Temple and priestly elite had ramifications throughout the religious fabric of Judaism of the time, which in various factions held differing beliefs about the appropriate constitution of the priestly officials and the practices these should perform. Herod incurred the disfavour of Sadducees, Pharisees, Esssenes, Herodians, Brigands, and others at different points in turn.

In the final chapters, Richardson turns to examine the role of Herod and his descendants in Christianity. He examines in detail the likelihood of Herod ordering the death of the newborns (or even knowing of the birth of a potential rival king). He examines also the role of Herod Antipas in the death of John and Jesus. Josephus confirms John the Baptist's death at the hands of Antipas, though recounts somewhat differently from gospel accounts. The gospels relate two independent traditions regarding the relationship of Jesus and Herod Antipas.

In all, this is a fascinating history that brings up great detail and context with which to read the gospel stories, the Roman history in the Middle East, and the Dead Sea Scrolls in a new context.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars informative, scholarly and readable, January 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Herod: King of the Jews and Friend of the Romans (Studies on Personalities of the New Testament) (Hardcover)

The introduction and the first two chapters captured my attention, the book begins with Herod's death and comments on the internal (tragic) family matters. The author displays his impressive knowledge of archeology, ancient and biblical history to present to us a believable portrait of Herod.