Tristan Hughes

Antipater's family were getting too powerful, including Herod.

Josephus, by the way, was a Jewish historian writing in the first century AD.

He is our main source for Herod's early years.

Now,

Back to the story.

Under fire from this central council, Herod headed to Jerusalem to explain his actions.

With the support of his family and the Romans, he rode into Jerusalem confident of acquittal.

Too confident.

Herod fled Jerusalem, angered by the opposition he had faced.

Herod was hell-bent on seeking revenge against those who he thought had wronged him, even if that meant a return to civil war.

Herod relented.

He travelled back to Galilee to continue his role as governor, establishing his capital at Sepphoris.

Crisis had been averted, for now.

As turmoil gripped the heart of the Roman Republic, Herod and his family held a firm grip over Judea, handing over tribute to Cassius.

But enemies were lurking, including a figure called Malachos.

Herod and his older brother, Phazeol, had only one thing on their mind.

Vengeance.

Herod and his brother Phazeol were restored as rulers of Judea.

But tensions remained.

Other enemies circled, led by a new royal rival, Antigonus.