The Roman Empire took over in 63 BCE. In 37 BCE, Caesar appointed Herod the Great the Jewish Roman king of Judaea. Many lavish cities were built under his rule, the remains of which are protected today as Israeli national parks. Such examples include Caesarea and Masada. But his great contribution to Judaism was building the Second Temple over the ruins of the First Temple in Jerusalem in the year 20 BCE. 90 years later, in 70 CE, after the coming of Christ and Christianity, the Romans destroyed the Second Temple.