HEROD IN THE TV SERIES 'ROME'

A refreshingly accurate representation of Herod the Great

Biblical films of the l960's tended to show Herod (either Herod the Great or his son Herod Antipas) as slimey old-fashioned villains without any redeeming qualities.

The TV series 'Rome' presented a more realistic Herod -  the man as he was, at least in his youth.

'Rome' portrayed Herod as shrewd and manipulative, able to impress and make friends with the rich and powerful in 1st century BC Rome. He knows when to be direct and when to be discreet - and is trusted to a certain extent by the character of Mark Antony.

This is close to historical fact. Mark Antony was Herod's friend and patron, even when Herod clashed with Cleopatra of Egypt. Cleopatra considered Herod's territories to be rightfully hers, and used her influence with Antony to regain the rich date plantations at Jericho.

For once the TV series treats the viewer as an adult, rather than dishing up a story about goodies and baddies.

Frank Thring played another Herod: Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, in the film 'King of Kings'. This film was about the life of Jesus of Nazareth.

Thring brilliantly captured the shifty vacillation of Herod Antipas, most notably in his dealing with John the Baptist and during the trial of Jesus.

But it is probably Rita Hayworth's performance of the Dance of the Seven Veils in 'Salome', with Herod Antipas (Charles Laughton) watching, that made the most impression on audiences.

Incidentally, Herod Antipas was never a 'king' as such. He was the governor or tetrarch of a region of 1st century Palestine, but was not given the title of 'king' by the Romans - a sore point with his wife Herodias.

For the life stories of these two powerful men, go to Mad, Bad and Dangerous: the Four Herods of the Gospels.