Roman rule in Palestine began in 63 BCE when Pompey annexed it for Rome. He settled the dispute between brothers Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II
- Hyreanus installed as "ethnarch"
- Idumean Antipater installed as procurators; sons installed as local rulers (Herod in Galilee)
- "The Abomination of Desolation" 63 BCE, Pompey enters "Holy of Holies" (??)
- After Antipater is murdered, Herod aids Rome in expelling the Parthians, and Rome in turn declares Herod as King.
- Theme: Rome chooses Client Kings (someone who's not fully a Jew and loyal to Rome) to rule Palestine
Herod the Great
- No graven images on coins --> he was sensitive to the Jews
- Was superficially Jewish bc Idumea was "Juadized" by the Hasmonians
- King of the Jews from 37 to 4 BCE
- Paranoid and impulsive; brutal dictator that terrorized people
- Effective for Rome, but hated by the Jews
- Best known for his massive building projects; good for the economy because it employed people
- Solomon's temple --> 2nd temple --> Herod's Temple --> Dome of the rock
- Holy architecture - concentric circles of holiness (Eliade)
- Steps to the temple mount - where Jesus truly was
- Triple gate - walled up underground tunnel entrance; double gate too
- Miqvah - Jewish ritual bath --> concept of Baptism
- Robinson's Arch - steps to side entrance, only a stone sticking out and walled up door left
- HUGE Temple Mount
- Retaining Western Wall
- Josephus, Jewish historian, writes of temple landmarks from a Roman POV
- Place of trumpeting, highest point on the Mt.
- Citadel of David - Herod's hiding place if people got mad at him
- Herodian Theatre
- Herodian Palace
- "Burnt House" 70 CE destruction showed that there was economic stability under Herod
- Antonia Fortress - place where Romans could watch over the temple
- Temple inscription warns non-Jews/gentiles from entering the Temple
- Jerusalem Hippodrome - place to race horses, named "Caesarea Hippondrome" in order to honor Rome. Able to do this bc it was far enough away from Jerusalem. Roman aqueducts and underwater port also at Caesarea
- Triclinium (eating positions), fortress in the middle of a mountain, and Miqveh at Herodion
Jesus
- No archaeological evidence
- Boat from Ginosar on Sea of Galilee is not sound evidence
- Fake Talpiot Tomb w ossuaries
- But evidence of the tradition of crucification
- Branching out of Christians from Jews --> Church of Holy Sepulcher
Interesting how Herod, an economically efficient tyrant, could be depicted as evil in the Bible under the light of God.
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