In the year 63 B.C. Palestine was conquered by the Romans under Pompey.
Antipater, an Idumean (Edomite, descendant of Esau), was appointed ruler of Judea. He
was succeeded by his son Herod the Great who was king of Judea (37-3 a.c.).
Herod, to obtain favor of the Jews, rebuilt the Temple with great splendor. But
he was a brutal, cruel man. This is the Herod who ruled Judah when Jesus was
born, and he it was who slew the children of Bethlehem.