The Herods

Murder, Politics, and the Art of Succession

By: Bruce Chilton

Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

Until his death in 4 BCE, Herod the Great's monarchy included territories that once made up the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. Although he ruled over a rich, strategically crucial land, his royal title did not derive from heredity. His family came from the people of Idumea, ancient antagonists of the Israelites.

Yet Herod did not rule as an outsider, but from a family committed to Judaism going back to his grandfather and father. They had served the priestly dynasty of the Maccabees that had subjected Idumea to their rule, including the Maccabean version of what loyalty to the Torah required. Herod's father, Antipater, rose not only to manage affairs on behalf of his priestly masters, but to become a pivotal military leader. He inaugurated a new alignment of power: an alliance with Rome negotiated with Pompey and Julius Caesar. In the crucible of civil war among Romans as the Triumvirate broke up, and of war between Rome and Parthia, Antipater managed to leave his sons with the prospect of a dynasty.

Herod inherited the twin pillars of loyalty to Judaism and loyalty to Rome that became the basis of Herodian rule. He elevated Antipater's opportunism to a political art. During Herod's time, Roman power took its imperial form, and Octavian was responsible for making Herod king of Judea.

©2021 Fortress Press, an imprint of 1517 Media (P)2022 Tantor

well documented ancient family

The book mines the many resources for the Herods and brings out tremendous information. At times I disagree slightly on some dating decisions, but that is what scholars do. I found it very insightful into the various personages in the Herod family and the various groups of the first centuries BC and AD. My doctorate is in Scripture and this historical background is mist useful.

This is a great book

Author does a great job balancing a nicely detailed history while telling a compelling story. Very much worth the listen.

Royal Intrigue and Death

This was a great overall of the Herod family and the many upheavals that marked their reign. While they held power granted by the Roman government, Herod the Great did much to expand and solidify his rule. His sons and those that followed were not as capable, leaving huge vacuums of power, and inviting revolts.

Highly enjoyed this read, and the fabulous documentation within. It was nice to have reference points to go back to, and mark.

Good

I liked it. It gave me a lot more information about Harrod and his family. However, take some of his facts/sources with a grain of salt.

Fascinating history

Excellent writing, author writes with the confidence and ease of erudition and clearly finds his matter enjoyable to write about. It makes his work fun and fascinating. The sole criticism is that the narrator's pronounciation of names is not always accurate. Examples I noticed were the names Cassius Chaerea and Charon.