Who was Herod?

Herod was a biblical figure who was best known for his role as the King of Judea. He was born in 73 BC to Antipater the Idumean and Cypros, a Nabatean Arab. He had nine siblings, including his half-brothers Phasael and Herod Antipas. Herod was appointed by the Roman Senate as the King of Judea in 40 BC. He was known for his ambitious building projects, including the expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the construction of the port city of Caesarea Maritima. He also built the fortress of Masada and the city of Herodium. Herod was also known for his cruelty and paranoia. He ordered the execution of his own sons, as well as the massacre of the innocents, in which he ordered the death of all male children in Bethlehem under the age of two. Herod died in 4 BC and was succeeded by his son Archelaus. He is remembered as a powerful ruler who was both ambitious and cruel.