National Geographic: Herod's Lost Tomb

Herod the Great is one of the Old Testament’s worst villains, best known for ordering the massacre of all male children in Bethlehem under two years old. Although few scholars believe the story is true, Herod’s bloody reputation has obscured the fact that he was also one of the greatest architectural masterminds in world history. Responsible for... More »

Herod the Great is one of the Old Testament’s worst villains, best known for ordering the massacre of all male children in Bethlehem under two years old. Although few scholars believe the story is true, Herod’s bloody reputation has obscured the fact that he was also one of the greatest architectural masterminds in world history.

Responsible for 22 temples, palaces, fortresses and cities in ancient Judea, plus an aqueduct and a deep-water port at Caesarea that many regard as equal to the Wonders of the Ancient World, his commissions amaze contemporary engineers.

Jerusalem’s Second Temple was part of one of the largest sacred complexes of its time and it was Herod who built its Western Wall, Judaism’s most sacred site. It is said that to keep the temple pure, Herod trained 1000 Jewish priests in construction techniques. Despite a plethora of structures built in his name, one riddle has remained unsolved for decades – where was his tomb? Now Israeli archaeologist Ehud Netzer, has completed his three-decade search for Herod’s final resting place.

Using the writings of first century AD historian Flavius Josephus, who thoroughly documented the life of Herod, Netzer has excavated at Herodian sites such as Masada, the Second Temple and Jericho. Now computer-generated images bring to life the magnificence of Herodium, one of the largest palace complexes in history and we see the moment when Netzer becomes certain that he has located Herod’s intricately carved mausoleum and coffin.

INSIDE JERUSALEM’S HOLIEST PLACES

Its name means “city of peace.” But as a focal point of three major world religions, and home to some of those faiths’ holiest sites, Jerusalem has witnessed 3,000 years of bloody conflict, intrigue and passion. National Geographic, with exclusive access, intimately explores locales held sacred by Christians, Jews and Muslims. From footage filmed inside the magnificent Dome of the Rock to the vast underground expanse of Solomon’s Stables to the traditional sites of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, it’s a spellbinding journey into this ancient, multilayered urban landscape of war, worship and timeless wonder.
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