Page 27 - The Glad Tidings of the Messiah

Herod was a tyrant who killed many innocent people. Fra Angelico's
(1387-1455) painting, entitled "The Massacre of the Innocents," de-
picts Herod's era. The painting dates from 1451-53 and is on display
at Florence's San Marco Museum.

spite all of the spectacular buildings, religious Jews resented him
because he had become a collaborator and a despot.
Herod I ruled his province with Roman support from 37 bce
to 4 bce. After his death, Rome disregarded the Jews' appeals to
end Herod's government and divided the province between his
sons. Rome appointed one son, Herod Antipas, as tetrarch of
Galilee, which he ruled from 4 bce to 40 ce. According to historical
sources, the Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) ministry coincides with the rule
of this man, who was at least his father's equal in terms of tyranny.
This is why the area's sociopolitical conditions are important to us.
Galilee's social fabric had changed dramatically since its colonial
occupation. The Jews scoffed at the area, and its civilization and