Tristan Hughes

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.

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.