★ The famous first Herodian ★

JUDAEAN KINGS: Herod I (the Great) 40-4 BCE, AE eight prutot, dated RY 3 (38/7 BCE). Jerusalem or Samarian mint, 8.45g, 24mm.
Obv: Helmet; palms flanking
Rev: Tripod; LΓ (date) to left, monogram to right.
Meshorer 44; Hendin 1169; HGC 10
From the JB (Edmonton) collection

Herod was designated for the kingship of Judaea by the Roman senate, in opposition to the Hasmonean supported by the Parthians. Herod took Jerusalem with Roman help and initiated a new dynasty. His ambitious building projects included renovating the Second Temple on the Temple Mount (the famous Western Wall is a remnant) and many fortresses, but the Judaean populace remained skeptical of the new dynasty for its Romano-Hellenistic inclinations. The Gospel of Matthew presents an uncorroborated account of Herod instigating the Massacre of the Innocents to ensure that only he could be the Messiah.