Perched on the edge of the Judean Desert just 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from Jerusalem lies the Herodium, built by Herod the Great. This mysterious structure, an impressive fusion of fortress and palace, has at its heart an ancient mystery.
While Herod is remembered for his ambitious building feats, the Herodium stands out among the many other impressive structures he had built. Why? Well, some archaeologists believe that the Herodium served Herod in death as well as life, housing his tomb.
While not anyone is convinced, most can agree that the Herodium is among Herod’s most impressive works. Was it another fortification, a magnificent fortress palace at the heart of his kingdom?
Or was it something more?
The Structure
Towards the end of the Hellenistic period, two thousand years ago, Herod the Great emerged as a formidable and controversial figure in the ever-volatile political landscape of the Middle East. After being appointed as the client king of Judea by the Roman Senate in 40 BC, Herod embarked on an ambitious mission to secure his reign and leave his mark on the region.
And any dictator will tell you one fantastic way to leave your mark is via massive building projects. And this was certainly something Herod became famous for.
He expanded the Second Temple in Jerusalem and constructed lavish palaces, fortresses, and cities all over his lands. It was against this backdrop that the Herodium, one of Herod’s most ambitious building projects, came into existence, built over almost a decade between 23 and 15 BC.
This colossal complex combined the two central aspects of Herod’s rule: military might and architectural splendor. A mixture of impressive fortress and luxurious palace, the Herodium wasn’t just built for defensive purposes, it was a way for Herod to show off his power via its opulence and sheer size.
- Ten Famous People who Lie in Lost Tombs
- (In Pics) Grounding the Bible: 10 Old Testament Figures that We Know Existed
Herod used the best architects in his kingdom to design the Herodium and archaeologists believe the design was brought to life by a mixture of slaves and trained paid laborers. It was built on the edge of the desert atop a man-made hill, giving it a strategic advantage against potential attackers while also representing Herod’s defiance against geographical challenges.
The fortress was made up of four intimidating towers. The central tower, with a stone base 18 meters (59 feet) in diameter is believed to have served as Herod’s living quarters and would have been adorned with mosaic floors and elaborate frescoes. Surrounding it were three towers of 16 meters (52 feet) in diameter, housing living spaces and storage.
Besides the fortified palace living quarters, the complex boasted other impressive amenities. It had its own Roman theater, courtyards, banquet rooms, bath houses, and a sprawling walkway known as “the course.” Water, a rare commodity in the desert, was collected in cisterns and then channeled into the palace.
One of the most impressive buildings was the Roman bathhouse. It consisted of three rooms: the caldarium (the steam room, heated by an underfloor heating system), the tepidarium (a slightly cooler room, serving as a transition space), and a frigidarium (a cold room with a plunge pool). Each room had vaulted ceilings, raised floors, and mosaic-adorned walls. The most impressive part, however, was the dome which survived countless earthquakes and wars, highlighting the level of craftsmanship and engineering that went into the Herodium.
Sadly, all this splendor went to waste. After Herod breathed his last in 4 BC, the Herodium’s fate began to shift. Following Herod’s death, the complex was neglected and began to fall into disrepair.
During the Great Jewish Revolt against the Romans of 66-73 AD Jewish rebels took the Herodium and built a synagogue on the site. Towards the end of the revolt, in 71 AD, these Jews were ousted by Roman forces. After this, the Herodium was basically left to rot, empty except for a brief period of occupancy during the Bar Kokhba revolt around 130 AD.
The Mystery of Herod’s Tomb
In 2007 Professor Ehud Netzer of the Hebrew University of Israel announced that his team had discovered the tomb of Herod during excavations at the site. The announcement brought led to a surge of excitement within the archaeological community. The size and prominence of the tomb seemed to align with the historical accounts of Herod’s elaborate funeral arrangements.
In particular between 2009 and 2010 Netzer and his team uncovered a small 450-seat capacity mini theater near the tomb base, which was presumed to have been used during Herod’s funeral.
Sadly, Netzer was injured at the site and died in 2010 but his team continued the excavations. Following his death they found fragments of three stone sarcophagi, the most impressive of which they believe was Herod’s.
However, not everyone is convinced that the tomb was Herod’s. Skeptics point to several factors that challenge the assumption that the tomb belongs to Herod.
- (In Pics) Five Tombs where Jesus was Buried
- Aelia Capitolina: Jerusalem’s Five Centuries as a Roman Town
One major problem lies in the absence of definitive inscriptions or markings linking the tomb to Herod. The lack of explicit identifiers raises the possibility that the burial chamber might have served another purpose or could be associated with an individual of prominence distinct from Herod, perhaps a family member or trusted ally. It seems unlikely that a leader with an ego the size of Herod’s wouldn’t put his name on his burial place.
Furthermore, the location of the tomb within the Herodium raises questions about the traditional burial practices of the time. Herod, a ruler with a penchant for ostentation, choosing a burial site within a fortress-palace complex is unconventional. Critics argue that the absence of clear historical precedents for such practices challenges the hypothesis that the tomb is indeed Herod’s.
Archaeological ambiguity also plays a role in the skepticism surrounding the tomb’s identity. The complex history of the Herodium, including periods of abandonment, reuse, and reconstruction, introduces a degree of uncertainty. The possibility that the tomb could be a later addition or part of a different phase in the site’s history cannot be discounted.
The stone sarcophagi highlight this problem. Apart from the fact some feel it is too austere to have been Herod’s, it has also been smashed into hundreds of pieces (believed to have been done by the Jewish rebels). This kind of damage makes it incredibly difficult to draw a definitive conclusion.
Some may see Herod the Great as one of history’s villains but it’s hard to deny his architectural prowess. The Herodium was an architectural and engineering masterpiece that despite centuries of neglect fared surprisingly well. Ever since Netzer began excavations in the 70s it’s offered fascinating insight into the rule of Herod.
Perhaps one of the most important discoveries made there is the tomb. If it is truly Herod’s, it solves the old age mystery of where his final resting place was. Yet, at the same time the absence of conclusive evidence and the presence of counterarguments means perhaps this mystery isn’t solved yet. It will likely take many years of hard work and excavation before this particular riddle is solved.
Top Image: The Herodium is certainly one of the greatest constructions of Herod’s reign. But could it also be the great King’s tomb? Source: Asaf T. / Public Domain.
References
