Herod

World History, Mark Antony

Mark Antony: "Congratulations to those of you who have been newly appointed governorship over your respective territories. I also have an announcement. We are to wed, I and Antonia Hybrida. Hail Caesar."
"Hail Caesar." The table of governors begin clapping.
Black servants lay plates of food and drinks before the governors.
Sextus nods "Governor Herod."
Herod I, "Sextus."
Sextus, "I am need of a good man. Someone we can trust. Someone who speaks Arabic. You can be of great help to Caesar."
Herod I, " 'ana qadir. I am capable."
Sextus, "I would like you to manage Coelesyria and Samaria as General. You can contribute greatly in this expansive agenda."
Herod I, " 'atshirif. I would be honored. You are most gracious."
Sextus, "We will give you provisions."* + -

50,000 Arabians advance around Jerusalem besieging the Temple. High Priest Hyrcanus with a sect of Jewish followers come forth, "Brother! Aristobulus! Come out! Judea belongs to me!"
The pious Onias comes out to the courtyard of the Temple. "What is this bothersomeness?"
Hyrcanus, "Pray for the demise of Aristobulus and his followers!"
Onias, "He is your brother. Must you advance in this fashion?"
A rock pelts Onias in the face, slung by General Herod who is with the Arabians.
Onias steps back bleeding in the face as the Jewish band of Hyrcanus men throw stones. Neither Hyrcanus himself, nor the supporting Arabian forces engage in the violence. They only stand back and watch. Onias falls over and dies.

Hyrcanus brings his attention to Herod, "Was this so necessary to kill Onias?"
"Do you want the governorship of Judea or not?" Herod sneered.
"We are Sanhedrin, we cannot engage in murder."
Herod stands there cocking his head, "Let's see. Pray for the demise of your brother. Sounds like murder on the mind to me. Besides, I didn't murder anyone. You did, by your band of Jews."* + -

"Herod, Governor of Galilee, had cast the first stone against Onias! He should stand trial for murder." Hyrcanus demanded.
"I am going to kill you Hyrcanus." Herod stood against Hyrcanus.
"Son! No more. Let this be. What is done is done." Herod's father Antipater intervened, along with his eldest brother. "Hyrcanus shall take the governorship of Judea."
"I'm sick of this shit. I'm consulting Mark Antony. I'm going to Rome."* + -

"If you want Judea, I know someone who can help." A servant pours wine for Marc Antony. "His name is Sosius."
"Who is Sosius?" Herod raised a brow.
"I recently appointed Sosius governor of Syria. Utilise his armies to take Judea. You have my support. I've had enough of those Jews myself."
"I don't want to raise too much of a stir with the Jews. I think some Jewish support would be favourable. Do I have your blessing to take Mariamne as a wife? She is a Hasmonean (blood of Hyrcanus and Aristobulus ."
Mark Antony, "Do as you wish." He waves Herod off.
As Herod departed from Mark Antony, going down the corridor... He is met with Sextus.
Sextus, "How did it go?"
Herod, "Thank you for connecting me with Antony. He mentioned the name Sosius."
Sextus smiles, "Oh yeah, Sosius. He will be of great value."

World History, Herod the Great

**Jerusalem, 37 BCE**
*Herod I seizes Jerusalem in 37 BCE and becomes "king of Judea", with the help of Gaius Sosius.*

Herod smiled at Sosius, "I greatly thank you for your assistance in taking over Jerusalem."
Sosius, "Hail Caesar."
Herod nodded, "Hail Caesar." He turned his head looking at the Temple of Jerusalem, "Please. Feel free to plunder the city, as a gift to your troops."
Sosius is mounted on his horse. He trots the horse back and forth for a moment. Then he pats his steed. He looks out over Jerusalem at the Temple. "A gift belongs to the gods."
Herod attempts to gain the trust of Sosius. "Shall we celebrate?"

Sosius, "I shall make a crown of gold. And I shall dedicate it to Jupiter, Mars, and Venus. Come celebrate with me in Rome."
Herod, "Let us make it a dual celebration and have one also here in Jerusalem!"
Sosius, "Everyday that passes, the son of Pompey, Sextus Pompey, is becoming stronger over Sicily. I must get back to Rome in haste."
Herod, "Ah yes. The Pompeys, who stand against Augustus, and who have spat at Julius Caesar."
Sosius, "Yes. It's not good."
Herod, "Give my love to Sextus Julius son of Sextus Julius Caesar."
Sosius, "I shall."
**Susa, 1 AD**
*Shush, Iran was once called Susa that served as a capital city for the Persian Empire.*
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ " - Matthew 2:6

Persian Maji guided by a light in the sky, to which they called a "star"

*The Persian Maji are traveling by camel bearing gifts of frankincense and myrrh.*

"There. Do you see it?" a Maji points to the sky at a brilliant white round object, probably the optical size of a dime.
"Is that a star?"
"Surely, it's a star. Let's go in its direction."
The object in the sky led the Maji to Jerusalem, a five day journey by camel from the city of Susa.
**Jerusalem, 1 AD**

"My daughter, Salome, I want you to have governorship over Gaza." Herod spoke.
Salome, "Thank you father. I am most pleased to hear of this."
"Herod, my lord, there are Maji here from the Persian world, the city of Susa."
Herod cocks his head slightly with no expression on his face.
Salome seemed annoyed that her conversation with her father was interrupted.
The Maji approach King Herod, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
King Herod stood up, wild eyed.
His daughter, Salome says, "Are you serious?"
Herod dismissed the Maji for a moment.
*In privacy with Herod's circle...*

"Am I cursed?" Herod says to his circle, "Nothing but bullshit I have to deal with. All my life, I feel like I've been dealing with nothing but robbers."
Herod's circle are bewildered and afraid. Salome, who is in Herod's circle as vengeance in her eyes, "Father... You know what you must do."
Herod's demeaner appears disquieted.
"Kill the child king of the Jews." Salome said matter of factly.
Herod demanded, "Bring the Maji back in."
The Maji approach the King.
Herod inquired, "How did you come to find this city, given the far distance you have traveled?"
Maji reply, "A star showed us the way."
Herod: "At what time of the day did you first see this star?"
Maji: "At dawn. We thought it was a Dawn Star. Maybe it was. But it seemed a little larger than what we know it to be."
Herod: "Search Bethlehem. When you find the king of the Jews, please return and tell us where he is. I too.... want to worship him."
The Maji bow and depart.* + -

"Thank you for all your gifts. Please stay the night before you depart." Mary insisted.
The Maji bow. They are shown an area for them to sleep.
*It is about 3 am.*

"Ssssssss. Go home to your wives."
Each of the three Maji wake up startled. They look at each other. "Get your things. Let's go."* + -

*It is about 3 am.*

Herod is sitting at the edge of his bed.
It is dark, with only a small oil lamp light flickering in low light.
In the darkness behind Herod, Akar's face appears, and extends his long tongue, licking Herod's left earlobe.* + -

*It is about 3 am.*

Salome is sitting at the edge of her bed in complete darkness. Her earlobe is licked. She jumps out of bed looking behind her.* + -

*The next morning...*

Herod is with his circle, "Where are the Maji?"
"Checking with our men. They should report to us soon."
Watchmen: "The Maji are gone! Someone said they left back home or something."
Salome: "Kill..."
Herod: "I want every male child, two years and under to be killed."
Watchmen: "But they are children."
Salome: "They are Jews. We are not. Kill them."