Herod the Great
Herod is angry because the Magi, or wise men, do not come back to see him. He works out how to kill Jesus who is born to be King of the Jews.
He orders the killing of all male children under two years old in a 16km or 10 mile radius of Bethlehem.
The Roman Senate had appointed Herod, an Idumean, as king of Palestine in 37BC. He dies during 4BC.
In Greek Herod means heroic.
Background Reading:
Matthew 2:16-18
First Plot to kill Jesus
16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
18 "A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more."
ref Matthew 26:3-4
More Information:
Herod the Great was an Idumean and was made king of Palestine by the Romans in 37 BC and died in 4BC. He died aged 69 possibly of chronic kidney disease.
How do we find which Herod is which?
There is a number of men called HEROD in the Bible, starting with Herod the Great who died in spring [March, April, May] 4BC. There is also a number of rulers descending from this man to whom the Bible gives names other than Herod in their Title e.g. Herodian Dynasty.
For example: Which Herod was Jesus referring to in Mark 8:15? It was Herod Antipas