In 37 BC, Herod replaced the Hasmonean dynasty as ruler of Judea. Since he was not from an established family, and as he ruled with Romes blessing, many Jews regarded him as an usurper and heretic, even though he married a Hasmonean and rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem. The contributions collected in this volume focus on the relationship between Herod, his subjects and the spiritual and secular center of Judea, Holy Jerusalem. German text.