King Herod

Herod (Ordos), king of ancient Judaea, the eastern provincia of the Roman Empire, was born in 73 BC and died in 4 BC. Herod was a loyal vassal of the emperors, but he also loved his people. He believed that not futile resistance to the great Rome, but submission to an irresistible force was the right way for small Judaea to prosper. By real deeds the king proved his case. The religious bonzes of Judaea held opposing views, had powerful influence and wide support in Judaea, and constituted an opposition to the king. Herod was known for cruelty, vindictiveness, and suspiciousness. Executions of real and imaginary enemies followed one after another. The intrigues and conspiracies of the courtiers and relatives of the monarch did not cease at the royal court. Herod was drawn into a bloody palace feud. The king all his life dreamed of eternal glory and good memory of him. Despite the undoubted achievements of his reign, Herod died hated and unrecognized. The present tale shows the acts and tragedy of the great king.