On the extirpation of the Asmomean family, finding that there was then no one who could in terfere with him, Herod had introduced heathen ish customs, such as plays, shows, and chariot races, which the Jews condemned as contrary to the laws of Moses ( Joseph. Aidiy. xv. 8. ; and on the completion of the building of Czesarea he also introduced Olympic games and consecrated them to Cmsar, ordering them to be celebrated every fifth year (Joseph. Antiq. xv. 9. 6 ; xvi. 5. 1). Notwithstanding that he thus alienated his subjects from him, he greatly improved his coun try by the number of fine towns and magnificent public buildings which he had erected. He built a temple at Samaria, and converted it into a Roman city under the name of Sebaste. He also built Gaba in Galilee, and Heshbonitis in Perrea (Joseph. Antig. xv. 8. 5), besides several other towns, which he called by the names of different members of his family, as Antipatris, from the name of his father Antipater, and Phasaelis, in the plains of Jericho, after his brother Phasael (Joseph Antiq. xvi. 5. 2). On many other towns in Syria and Greece he bestowed money, but his grandest undertaking was the rebuilding of the Temple at Jerusalem. It was commenced in the eighteenth year of his reign (n.c. 2o), and the work was car ried on with such vigour that the Temple itself (mos), i.e., the Holy House, was finished in a. year and a half (Joseph. Antiq. xv 1. r, 6). The cloisters and outer buildings were finished in eight years (Joseph. Antig., I. c., 1. 5). Additions and repairs were continually being made, and it was not till tire reign of Herod Agrippa II. (c. A. D. 65) that the Temple (7-6 lepav) was completed (Joseph. Antiq. xx. 9. 7). Hence the Jews said to our Lord, Forty and six years was this Temple in building [thkoSa,u7)077-and is not even yet com pleted], and wilt thou raise it up in three days ?' ( John ii. zo). This took place in A.D. 27, just after our Lord's baptism, who was about thirty years of age' (Luke iii. 23), and who was born a few months before the death of IIerod, in B.C. 4, according to the usual chronology, which places the nntivity four years before the Vulgar era. This beautiful temple, though built in honour of the God of Israel, did not win the hearts of the people, as is proved by the revolt which took place shortly before IIerod's death, when the Jews tore down the golden eagle which he had fastened to the Temple, and broke it in pieces (Joseph. Antiy.
xvii. 6. 2, 3).
The diversity of Herod's nature is remark able. On regarding his magnificence, and the benefits he bestowcd upon his people, one cannot deny that he had a very beneficent disposition ; but when we read of his cruelties, not only to his sub jects, but even to his own relations, one is forced to allow that he was brutish and a stranger to humanity (cf. Joseph..Athq. xvi. 5. 4). His ser vility to Rome is amply shewn by the manner in which he transgressed the customs of his nation and set aside many of their laws, building cities and erecting temples in foreign countries, for the Jews did not permit him so to do in Judxa, even though they were under so tyrannical a govern ment as that of Herod. His confessed apology was that he was acting to please Csar and the Romans, and so through all his reign he was a Jewish prince only in name, with a Hellenistic dis position (cf. Joseph. Antiq. xv. 9. 5 ; xix- 7- 3.). Josephus gives Herod I. the surname of Great (' pall kteray). Ewald suggests that the title of elder is only intended to distinguish him from the younger Herod (Antipas), and compares the cases of 'EXkicts 6 p.&yas (Antiq. xviii. 8. 4) and Agrippa the Great, in contradistinction to IIelcias, the keeper of the sacred treasure (Antiq. xx. 11. 1), and to Agrippa II. The title, 'Agrippa the Great,' is confirmed by coins, on which he is styled MEPAI''.3 (Eckhel, Doct. Num. Vet ,vol. p. 492 ; Akerman, Num. Chron., vol. ix. p. 23), and so, says Ewald, it may similarly have been given upon the coins of Herod, and from this the origin of the surname may have been derived' (Geschichte, vol. iv. p. 473, note). There are, however, 710 COillS of Herod I. with the title great. Jost, in his Geschichte des Yudenthums, p. 319 note, in speaking of the tyrannical government of Herod, whom history called, as it were in derision (?), the Great,' says, Perhaps this (the title Great) arises from a mis taken translation of Nn, which may also mean (he elder.' Unfortunately- he does not say front what source he obtains this word ; and if it is to be found, it must be of very rare occurrence. It is best to suppose that the title in Josephus is merely a distinguishing epithet, and not meant to express greatness of character or achievements.