The real King herod
Did the Massacre of the Innocents really happen?
The legacy of King Herod, the Roman-appointed ruler of Judaea, is a controversial one. Although he was responsible for a large number of astonishing building projects that got underway during his reign, such as fortresses and theatres, he is also thought of for his tyranny.
The event that Herod is most remembered for is the Massacre of the Innocents, which is depicted in the Gospel of Matthew. He ordered that all male infants who were aged two or under in Bethlehem must be killed to avoid losing his throne the newborn baby Jesus, King of the Jews. The massacre inspired the ‘Coventry Carol’, a 16th-century Christmas tune that was a lullaby sung by the mothers of the infants destined to be killed.
However, as the massacre is only mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, it has been disputed as a myth rather than an actual historical event. There is a day dedicated to those who supposedly died, known as Holy Innocents’ Day, to commemorate the infant martyrs, which is usually held between 27 December and 10 January, depending on the Church. Whether the massacre occurred or not, there is no denying that Herod became extremely paranoid during his reign and he did commit a number of brutal acts, including the murder of his wife and two sons. Knowing that Herod used such violence, it is not impossible to believe that he could have been capable to order the massacre.