Herod's family tomb, with or without upper-case initials, can refer to several sites identified at different times as the burial structures of the immediate relatives of Herod the Great, one of them probably being the famed king's own tomb.
.jpg) Entrance to Herod's Family Tomb. Notice "rolling stone". | |
| Location | Near Old City of Jerusalem |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 31°46′26.4″N 35°13′26.6″E / 31.774000°N 35.224056°E |
| History | |
| Builder | Herod the Great |
| Material | Stone, Herodian-type ashlars |
| Founded | 1st century BCE |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | Preserved |
| Public access | Yes |
"Herod's Family Tomb", Jerusalem
editThe name "Herod's Family Tomb" has long been used for a 1st-century BCE rock-cut funerary complex of excellent workmanship located near King David Hotel in Jerusalem.[1] The cruciform, 5-chamber tomb is built of perfectly cut and joined Herodian-type ashlars and was found to still contain two in situ decorated sarcophagi, all dated to the first century BCE.[1]
Opus reticulatum monument, Jerusalem
editA round funerary complex discovered near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem has also been considered as the burial tower of Herod's relatives.[1] It is known as the opus reticulatum monument, and is mentioned twice by Josephus (War 5.108, 507), as "Herod's monuments" and as "Herod's monument", respectively.[2]
Tomb of Herod, Herodium
editThe 2007 discovery by Ehud Netzer of the remains of an elaborate mausoleum at the Herodium fortress and administrative centre, along with the remains of three finely worked stone sarcophagi, has convinced most specialists that Herod's own tomb has been finally discovered, along with those of two close relatives.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c Ehud Netzer, "Herod's Family Tomb in Jerusalem", in BAR magazine, May/June 1983, with sidebar: "Traditional" Tomb of Herod’s Family. Accessed 25 July 2024.
- ^ Netzer, Ehud (2007). "The Ideal City in the Eyes of Herod the Great". In Nikos Kokkinos (ed.). International Conference, The World of the Herods and the Nabataeans, Held at the British Museum, 17-19 April 2001 (PDF). Oriens et occidens (14). Vol. 1: The World of the Herods. Franz Steiner. pp. 71-91 (75). ISBN 978-3515088176. Retrieved 25 July 2024 – via The official website of The Ehud Netzer Expedition to Herodium.
- ^ Herod's Tomb, at the official website of The Ehud Netzer Expedition to Herodium. Accessed 25 July 2025.