Horrible Humans in History

Herod the Great was one of the most powerful and feared rulers of the ancient world. Rising from an outsider family with strong Roman connections, Herod fought his way to the throne through war, political alliances, and ruthless violence. Best known from the biblical story surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ, Herod became infamous for his paranoia, executions, and alleged order to kill the children of Bethlehem in the Massacre of the Innocents. Yet he was also a brilliant builder who transformed Judea with massive projects like the expansion of the Temple in Jerusalem and the fortress of Masada. This episode explores Herod’s turbulent rise to power, his brutal reign, his conquest of Jerusalem, the murders of his own family members, and the lasting legacy of a king remembered as both a political genius and a terrifying tyrant.