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From Augustus, Herod obtained the right to intervene on behalf of the Jews wherever in the Roman empire they might be annoyed. But, above all, he tried to prove that Greek temples were not his only concern by undertaking to rebuild and beautify the Temple in Jerusalem.
Once things commenced, under no circumstances were the services to be
interrupted. Herod hired workmen by the thousands. Among them were many priests
to build those portions not accessible to ordinary Jews.
The work was started by leveling larger portions of the Temple Mount, so that
the new building might be erected on a broader base. It was also made much
taller, so that the white stone gleamed in the bright Palestinian sun and could
be seen from miles away.
On the northern and southern sides of the building were the enclosed halls or
rooms where the priests prepared for the service, and where the Sanhedrin met.
The large open court on the east, facing the Temple proper, was divided into
several parts.
Closest to the Temple was the portion set aside for the altar and the
officiating priests. Next to it was the court for the Israelites who came to
watch the service. By the side of that was the gallery for the women, and behind
it was the court of the Gentiles.
The whole area was surrounded by a wall. This is the wall, part of which remains
to this day, known as "The Wailing Wall," to which Jews have gone on pilgrimage
during the recent centuries of exile.
See also
Herod's Buildings
The Temple took many years to build. Begun in 19 BC, it was not finished till
long after Herod's death. The Jews prided in Herod's accomplishment until Herod
placed a huge Roman eagle over the most important gate of the new Temple.
Before long there was a conspiracy to pull the eagle down. When rumor circulated
that Herod was dying, a group of young men gathered before the gate on which the
golden eagle was set and began to pull it down. The soldiers interfered and
arrested about forty of them. Herod was so enraged at this sign of
insubordination and insult to Rome, that he had the "rebels" burned alive.