Herod

Herod, dynasty ruling in Palestine for nearly 150 years around the time of Jesus. The family fortune was founded in c. 65 B.C., but its best-known leader was Herod the Great (73–4 B.C.), who ruled Judaea from 37 B.C. His allies, who helped preserve his powers, included Marc Antony and Augustus. Although he was a skilled ruler, he was hated for his ruthlesness, ordering the massacre of the Innocents. His son Herod Antipas (21 B.C.-A.C. 39) ruled Galilee at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus and had John the Baptist executed.