JERUSALEM – One of the world’s first exhibits devoted solely to King Herod is debuting at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem on February 12. Known for both his villainy in the New Testament and his ambitious building projects, King Herod remains an intriguing historical figure.
Israel’s national museum will run “Herod the Great: The King’s Final Journey” exhibit for nine months until October 5. The exhibit focuses on new finds from Herod’s recently discovered tomb at Herodium.
Prof. Ehud Netzer of the Hebrew University spent 40 years searching for Herod’s famed tomb and winter palace before finally discovering it in 2007. Some of the artifacts from this discovery will be displayed to the public for the first time.
The exhibit details Herod’s life as a Jewish proxy monarch who ruled Jerusalem and the Holy Land under Roman occupation two millennia ago. Guests can view a reconstructed tomb and sarcophagus, as well as artifacts from his palace in Jericho and Second Jewish Temple complex.
“Herod the Great” is the museum’s largest and most expensive archaeological project to date. For more information, visit www.imj.org.il.
