Tristan Hughes

But realistically, his family's power was limited.

The Hasmoneans were now subservient to Rome and most power lay with Rome's main man in the region, Antipater.

It was this backdrop that allowed Herod to grow up in a family at the forefront of political life.

Enjoying the luxuries of elite life, by his early 20s Herod had developed quite the personality.

As Dr. Kimberly Tchaikovsky, Senior Lecturer in Ancient History at the University of Edinburgh, explains…

While Herod spent his younger years learning what it meant to be an aristocrat, his father Antipater had been solidifying their family's position.

Antipater allied himself with the famous Roman statesman Julius Caesar.

Caesar named Antipater procurator of Judea, Rome's client ruler in all but name.

But Antipater couldn't rule alone.

He needed allies he could trust.

His sons were perfect candidates.

He appointed his eldest son, Phizael, to serve as commander of Jerusalem.

Herod, then 27 years old, Antipater appointed as commander of Galilee, the northern region.

Herod wasted no time securing his family's control over Galilee.

But it wouldn't be easy.

Bandits, led by a rebel called Ezekias, menaced the region.

Herod vowed to destroy them.

Herod's victory saw him emerge onto the political stage in triumph.

But such success also bred jealousy.

In Jerusalem, enemies were plotting.