Herod: The Tyrant of Christmas

Most of us know King Herod only as the villain of the Nativity story, the jealous ruler who sought to destroy the newborn “King of the Jews.”

But the historical Herod was far more complex. Ruling Judea as Rome’s client king from 40 to 4 BCE, Herod combined ruthless political instincts with extraordinary architectural vision. He rebuilt the Jerusalem Temple, founded Caesarea, and constructed desert fortresses that rivaled Rome’s grandeur.

In this live two-lecture event, world-renowned archaeologist Dr. Jodi Magness uncovers the truth behind Herod’s reign, his political alliances, and the archaeological remains that tell his story, culminating in the discovery of his long-lost tomb at Herodium in 2007.

Was Herod truly “the Great,” or simply the tyrant of Christmas? Join us to find out.

Jodi Magness, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania)

Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Dr. Magness is one of the world’s leading archaeologists of ancient Judaism and early Christianity. She has directed excavations at Qumran, Masada, and Huqoq (home to some of the most spectacular synagogue mosaics ever discovered). Her research bridges archaeology and history to illuminate the world that gave rise to Jesus and his contemporaries.