ABSTRACT
Societies have multiple elites; while we tend to think of social and political elites as the most distinctive and influential parts of the networks of society, in Herod’s Judea the two most important groupings were the religious and military upper echelons. On the one hand, as a monotheistic state it had only one set of rules and standards; mediating the practices and the norms of society was a hereditary priestly class who occupied a privileged position, being supported by those who were not a part of the Levitical priesthood. On the other hand, the Senate in Rome had given Herod his position as king, but he had had to win his way to power through military prowess, so he was beholden to and dependent upon those who worked alongside him to keep Judea strong and dominant in the region. One part of the story was his vigorous leadership—unlike his mentor, Hyrcanus II, who was viewed by some, perhaps unfairly, as weak and inadequate—shown in Herod’s military victories and assured style of command at a relatively young age, which must have attracted others with military ambitions to him.
