I + 2 : Herod and the Crossing to Karpathos

You may wonder what Karpathos and King Herod have in common. Actually nothing except that that there is no signal between the islands of Rhodes and Karpathos. During the crossing I finally have time to write my blog about King Herod and the way he travelled. By chance I came across his itinerary when searching the web for an item related to Saint Paul. His route looked similar to Apostle Paul's. Given the prevailing winds in the Mediterranean, no surprise. But surely, King Herod would not travel "economy" on a grain freighter like Paul but had "private jet" treatment..

Wind Sufters at Cape Prasonisiou who profit from the strong winds on Rhodes' Southern Tip

Before talking about King Herod's trip, some words about this type of monarch. Herod was a typical Roman client king. The Roman Empire did not always seek direct rule which could force it to commit military resources. But its Legions were few. It preferred - specifically on the eastern border - to install client kings, They derived their position from their allegiance to Rome and would only do what was in Rome's interest. Herod was one of them.

Marble Bust identified as King Herod the Great

He derived his position from his dad's close relationship with Julius Caesar. By the age of 25 (48 BC) he was appointed Governor of Galilee. His main job was collecting taxes, which he successfully did. Young Herod hobnobbed with influential Romans, amongst them Syria's Roman Governor who had Legions under his command - always useful. When Caesar was murdered in 44 BC in Rome, Herod supported Mark Anthony who pursued the assasins and killed them in battle. For his loyalty, Herod was named Tetrarch for Palestine.

King Herod's "little" Empire at its maximum - He kept the Roman Border safe and plundered Jewish wealth which he sent as Taxes to Rome

Between Caesar's murder and Augustus becoming Rome's first emperor, everything was in flux in the Middle East. Rome's influence was strong, but local rulers saw an opportunity to get rid of them by seeking alliance with the Parthians from Persia. To his surprise, Herod was ousted by Antigonus, a local usurper and Parthian ally, and became a refugee in 40 BC. He had to flee to Rome where - unexpectedly - the Senate appointed him King of the Jews.

King Herod tried to win the support of "his" people by rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem

And maintain the Favour of the Roman Emperor by naming his new Port Caesarea after him

The Senate would not give up tax revenue easily. Whilst the title as such meant little, his good buddy Mark Anthony lent him some of his Syrian Legions. With no further addo Herod conquered Jerusalem and remained the Jewish King ever since. We all know Herod from the Bible as the man who massacred the innocent - all boys in Bethlehem below the age of two were killed to avoid that "a" Jesus could ever become King of the Jews. But Josef and Maria had heard of the plot and fled in time to Egypt. Jesus was safe.

Massacre of the Innocent - a 10th Century Painting with King Herod on the Right

Herod travelled twice abroad to meet high ranking Roman dignitaries. The first time in 40 BC when he also met Octavian, the future Augustus. Octavian found him servile and useful. The 2nd time to Rhodes in 31 BC to meet Augustus again. During the civil war between Octavian and Mark Anthony - Cleopatra, Herod had backed the losers. But he was charming, servile and convincing as ever. Augustus restored him in his position.

King Herod's itinerary of his travels abroad to meet Senate and future Emperor Augustus

As a man of style, Herod travelled to impress. His aim was to demonstrate the wealth his country could "share" with Rome. We know from Josephus, the Jewish historian, that his ship got wrecked in a summer storm near Rhodes. For three months, King Herod was stuck on the island. There he "acquired" a trireme to continue his trip.

The Replica Trireme Olympias - the Deck had ample Space for Luxury Cabins for Herod

Quite a feat to obtain a ship with 170 rowers and 30 other staff. We have no further information about the ship but I am sure that King Herod had a cabin on the upper deck with servants just for himself. Arriving in Brindisi, the news of a wealthy king arriving in a trireme must have spread fast. The Senate welcomed the traveller, bestowed nobility on him and sent him home to collect more taxes. The Roman War machine was a hungry beast which consumed 80% of total tax revenue. King Herod proofed that he could pay.

With waves two meters high, the Crossing was too

rocky for writing my blog. I had to finish it once we

anchored in Karpathos.