The Building Program of Herod the Great

Duane W. Roller

ISBN 10: 0520209346 / ISBN 13: 9780520209343

Published by University of California Press, 1998

About this Item

Herod the Great, King of Judaea from 444 BC, is known as one of the world's great villains. This notoriety has overshadowed his actual achievements, particularly his role as a client king of Rome during Augustus's reign as emperor. This title presents and discusses the building projects known to have been initiated by Herod. Num Pages: 368 pages, 48 b/w photographs, 1 drawing, 15 maps, 14 tables. BIC Classification: 1QDAR; AM; HBJD; HBLH; JFC. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational. Dimension: 229 x 152 x 28. Weight in Grams: 490. . 1998. Hardcover. . . . .

Seller Inventory # V9780520209343

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Building Program of Herod the Great
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Publication Date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0520209346
• ISBN 13: 9780520209343
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Herod the Great, King of Judaea from 444 B.C., is known as one of the world's great villains. This notoriety has overshadowed his actual achievements, particularly his role as a client king of Rome during Augustus's reign as emperor. An essential aspect of Herod's responsibilities as king of Judaea was his role as a builder. Remarkably innovative, he created an astonishing record of architectural achievement, not only in Judaea but also throughout Greece and the Roman east. Duane W. Roller systematically presents and discusses all the building projects known to have been initiated by Herod, and locates this material in a broad historical and cultural context.

Bringing together previously inaccessible material, Roller enriches our understanding of the enigmatic Herod and provides new insights into Roman architecture. Herod was instrumental in the diffusion of the Augustan architectural revolution into the provinces and was the first to build outside Italy such Italian architectural forms as the basilica, amphitheater, villa, and Italian temple. Herod's legacy provided a groundwork for the architectural Romanization of the east, influencing the construction of the great temple complexes and palaces so familiar from later Roman architecture.

Herod, like Augustus himself, was not only interested in architecture but also in diplomatic and financial contacts among cities of the region. In addition to providing a repertorium of the building projects, this study is also an exploration of international relations in the eastern Mediterranean at the beginning of the Roman imperial period.

About the Author

Duane W. Roller is Professor of Classics at Ohio State University. He is the author of many archaeological and historical publications, including Tanagran Studies (1989).