Still, the 7th century Al-Aqsa mosque was built atop an earlier Christian church, which in stood astride a Roman temple, all of which stood on the platform built by king Herod to house the second Jewish temple, which itself replaced the temple of Solomon, built around 900 BCE.

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An amphitheater had earlier stood on the site, along with a royal lounge where Herod and his guests enjoyed private shows.

WSJ: Shards of a Reputation | Herod the Great | Israel Museum | By Amotz Asa-El

They needed to be reminded on the day where the world celebrates the birth of a child whom Rome and Herod try to assign to the role of 'surplus population, ' that the frightened men who rule the world in the name of scarcity should not be followed, but saved.

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Herod did the same, expounding in the course of Cleopatra's Jerusalem visit on her shameless behavior.

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Entering through a panorama of the Judean Desert where Herod wintered, we turn left into the restored throne room where he was laid out on a golden bier, crown on head and scepter at hand, as his funeral began.

WSJ: Shards of a Reputation | Herod the Great | Israel Museum | By Amotz Asa-El