Political Landscape of First Century Palestine

In first century Palestine, the political landscape was shaped by Roman occupation and local governance. After the annexation by the Romans in 63 BC, the region transitioned from being ruled by the independent Hasmonean dynasty to being administered through Roman client kings, most notably Herod the Great. Herod ruled Judea as a client king from 40 BC until his death in 4 BC, during which he implemented extensive building projects and maintained a complex relationship with the Romans. Upon Herod's death, his kingdom was divided among his three sons, each inheriting different territories, further complicating the political dynamics in the region as various local rulers were accountable to Roman authorities.