Herod the Great (Ancient Biographies) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The Bible speaks of a king named Herod who was cruel and jealous..." (more)
Key Phrases: Marc Antony, King Herod, Asia Minor (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6?Biographies of Alexander the Great and Cleopatra are numerous. These series titles don't add anything new to those bodies of work, but could be used as basic introductions to the subjects. On the other hand, there is little available to describe the reign of Herod the Great to young people. However, the political and religious wrangling of the time is nearly impossible to sort out and condense in any kind of understandable manner in so short a book. So many personalities, so many intrigues and conflicting loyalties, and so much bloodshed are described that it's almost impossible to keep them all straight. All three titles contain excellent full-color and black-and-white photos, illustrations, and reproductions; good indexes; and brief but useful lists for further reading. Alexander has only one map, a drawback in a book about conquest in an unfamiliar part of the world.?David N. Pauli, Missoula Public Library, MT
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Offers a look into the life of this great tyrant and his rule in the Holy Land at the time of the birth of Christ, explaining how Herod killed off most of his family, became responsible for the Slaughter of the Innocents, and pursued an alliance with the Roman Empire in his search for total power. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Children's Press(CT) (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531158012
• ISBN-13: 978-0531158012
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #520,450 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very good introduction, June 18, 2002

By	Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Herod the Great (School & Library Binding)

This short book gives a quick biography of one of history's "villains", Herod the Great, Kind of Judea. Beginning with his father, Antipater, an Idumaean Arab, the book examines Herod's rise to power and his machinations to stay in power. This book is very interesting, even for adult readers, and I especially liked the many pictures. Overall, I found this to be a very good introduction to the life of Herod the Great.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Poor "TIMING" ..., March 11, 2007

By	Barbara Stienstra (Goshen, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Herod the Great (First Book) (Library Binding)

I read this book when it first came out. I have been holding back reviewing this book at Amazon, awaiting word from the publishing company, but nothing has arrived. I indicated something very important was missing from the timeline that was emphasized in the book and was an important event in history. Let us see if you, careful reader, might find it lacking:
Page 59 TIMELINE:
134-104 B.C. John Hyrcanus rules as Hasmonean King and high priest; Jews conquer Edom

76 B.C. Hasmonean King Alexander Jannaeus dies, sons wage civil war for power in Judea

c. 74 B.C. Herod born

63 B.C. Roman general Pompey enters Jerusalem, ends Judean civil war

48 B.C. Caesar defeats Pompey at Pharsalus; Pompey murdered in Egypt

47 B.C. Herod appointed governor of Galilee by his father, Antipater

44 B.C. Julius Caesar assassinated

43 B.C. Antipater assassinated, Herod becomes governor of Judea

41 B.C. Herod allies himself with Marc Antony

40 B.C. Parthians invade Syria; Herod flees to Masada with family

39 B.C. Roman Senate appoints Herod King of Judea; Herod drives Antigonus out of Judea, enters Jerusalem

31 B.C. Octavius defeats Antony at Actium, then confirms Herod's rule of Judea

27 B.C Herod conducts Actian Games in honor of Octavius's victory over Antony; Octavius declares himself Augustus Caesar, first Roman emperor

25 B.C. Drought in Judea; Herod collects money to buy grain from Egypt

25-13 B.C. Herod oversees building of Caesarea, Sebaste, fortresses, theaters, and other public buildings

19 B.C. Reconstruction of Temple of Jerusalem begins

12 B.C. Herod brings accusations against his sons, Alexander and Aristobulus, before Roman court; Augustus (Octavius) dismisses charges

7 B.C. Alexander and Aristobulus found guilty of treason by Judean judges and executed

6 B.C. Herod becomes ill

4 B.C. Herod orders the death of his son Antipater; Herod dies five days later

A.D. 6 Judea becomes a Roman province.

Where is THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS?
... I questioned the company and as of this date, I still have not had
a reply.
Prior to my finding this error, I would consider this book for adult reading as well as children. It
was well researched, well written. I thought in "time" their would be an
"errata", but I still wait, and wait, and wait...

3.0 out of 5 stars Some interesting info, but dry reading, and doesn't accept Slaughter of the Innocents, October 3, 2009

By	HeatherHH - See all my reviews

This biography mentions the Slaughter of the Innocents talked about in the gospel of Matthew, but doesn't accept them as historical fact. It's not included on the timeline of important events in his life at the back. Obvious weakness. I'd have liked to have seen more detail about the context around this, the effect it would have had politically, etc.

It does, however, have some interesting information about Judean politics immediately before the coming of Christ. It was also very interesting to learn that Herod's family was from Edom which had been conquered by the Jews while his father was living, and that the family converted to Judaism! Though Arab by background, and not appearing to have had a particularly sincere faith, Herod was apparently a "Jew." New information for me.

But, the book just didn't draw me in. Much of it was about Roman politics, and there wasn't as much about Herod as ruler as I would have liked. And again, not much about what he's best known for, the Slaughter of the Innocents. It is rather dry reading. Since it has information not in my other books, I'll keep it, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to someone else. If it weren't for the fact that I homeschool, I wouldn't feel a need to ever read this book again.