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The Herodium" (Herodion) is an impressive archaeological site situated 5 miles south of Jerusalem and just about 3 miles southeast of the hills of Bethlehem. It's historical significance dates to the time of King Herod the Great. Located on the edge of the Judean Hills and the Wilderness of Judah, it was a towered fortress built by Herod, serving as a summer palace. The building of the city and the fortress are described by Josephus (War, I, 419-20).
It was built between 24-15 B.C. to commemorate a victorious rear-guard action on his flight to Masada in 40 B.C. (Antiquities, XVI, 13). It was here that Herod entertained Agrippa, son-in-law of the emperor Augustus, in 15 B.C. The fortress also served as the administrative center of the district (War, III, 54-6). In addition, Herod choose Herodium as his burial place (he died in 4.B.C.). After Herod's death, the site was used and occupied during the First Jewish Revolt and then later by Christian hermits. Byzantine monks in the 5-6 century A.D. turned the fortress into a monastery, and built churches around its base.
Most significantly, the site would have marked the presence of King Herod during the time of Christ's birth in Bethlehem just a few miles away.
1. Wars, I 419-20. Josephus mentions that it was a fortress built by King Herod.
2. The Gospels: The story of Christ's birth in Bethlehem nearby.
3. Matthew 2:13-18 With King Herod nearby, and with the killings of all the boys two years and younger in nearby Bethlehem, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus escape to Egypt.
1. ROMAN (HERODIAN): Looking almost like a volcano, Herodium was built in a circular fashion rising high above the surrounding landscape. The fortress itself consists of a series of round & semicircular towers, a courtyard, a vaulted corridor protecting a complex water system of various tunnels and cisterns. An elaborate dining room was uncovered, as well as a hot room. Latter, the Byzantine monks would use this room as a bakery. The original entrance into this fortress consisted of a monumental white marble staircase, whose remains can be traced down the slope from the modern bridge/entrance.
Around the base of Herodium was built a pool, supplied by the aqueduct from Artas, near Solomon's Pools. The circular pavilion in the center indicates, however, that the pool was no mere reservoir. It was the architectural focal point of the palace area.
The doubled walls served as both a retaining wall for Herod's garden as well as the foundation of a long hall. The palace, presumably for the entertainment of guests, dominated the 350 X 25 m. stadium.Archeological Sites and "Regions"
"Journey of a Lifetime"