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Herod the Great

Statesman, Visionary, Tyrant

Norman Gelb

Herod the Great, king of ancient Judea, was a brutal, ruthless, vindictive and dangerously high-strung tyrant. He had many of his subjects killed on suspicion of plotting against him and was accused of slaughtering children in Bethlehem when informed that a new king of the Jews had been born there. Among the victims of the murderous paranoia that ultimately drove him to the brink of insanity were his three oldest sons and the wife he loved most. But there was a crucial aspect to Herod’s character that has been largely ignored over the centuries. Norman Gelb explores how Herod transformed his formerly strive-ridden kingdom into a modernizing, economically thriving, orderly state of international significance and repute within the sprawling Roman Empire. This reassessment of Herod as ruler of Judaea introduces a striking contrast between a ruler’s infamy and his extraordinary laudable achievements. As this account shows, despite his horrific failings and ultimate mental unbalance, Herod was a fascinatingly complex, dynamic, and largely constructive statesman, a figure of great public accomplishment and one of the most underrated personalities of ancient times. History buffs and those interested in popular ancient history can are introduced to this ruthless tyrant and his victims.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 1 • Trim: 6¼ x 9

978-1-4422-1065-3 • Hardback • February 2013 • $57.00 • (£44.00)

978-0-8108-9525-6 • Paperback • October 2017 • $35.00 • (£30.00)

978-1-4422-1067-7 • eBook • February 2013 • $33.00 • (£25.00)

Subjects: Religion / Judaism / General, History / Jewish, Religion / History

Herod the Great

Statesman, Visionary, Tyrant

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Herod the Great, king of ancient Judea, was a brutal, ruthless, vindictive and dangerously high-strung tyrant. He had many of his subjects killed on suspicion of plotting against him and was accused of slaughtering children in Bethlehem when informed that a new king of the Jews had been born there. Among the victims of the murderous paranoia that ultimately drove him to the brink of insanity were his three oldest sons and the wife he loved most. But there was a crucial aspect to Herod’s character that has been largely ignored over the centuries. Norman Gelb explores how Herod transformed his formerly strive-ridden kingdom into a modernizing, economically thriving, orderly state of international significance and repute within the sprawling Roman Empire. This reassessment of Herod as ruler of Judaea introduces a striking contrast between a ruler’s infamy and his extraordinary laudable achievements. As this account shows, despite his horrific failings and ultimate mental unbalance, Herod was a fascinatingly complex, dynamic, and largely constructive statesman, a figure of great public accomplishment and one of the most underrated personalities of ancient times. History buffs and those interested in popular ancient history can are introduced to this ruthless tyrant and his victims.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 1 • Trim: 6¼ x 9

978-1-4422-1065-3 • Hardback • February 2013 • $57.00 • (£44.00)

978-0-8108-9525-6 • Paperback • October 2017 • $35.00 • (£30.00)

978-1-4422-1067-7 • eBook • February 2013 • $33.00 • (£25.00)

Subjects: Religion / Judaism / General, History / Jewish, Religion / History

Author

Norman Gelb is the author of a number of acclaimed books, including Kings of the Jews: The Origins of the Jewish Nation. He is a historian and freelance writer, who periodically contributes to publications such as Smithsonian magazine.

Reviews

This book accurately portrays the turbulent life and times of King Herod the Great in a highly readable and engaging manner. Fast-paced and clearly written, it will appeal to a broad audience.

— Jodi Magness, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Herod the Great

Statesman, Visionary, Tyrant

Norman Gelb

Herod the Great

Statesman, Visionary, Tyrant

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