Herod the Great, ruler of the Jews, appointed by the Romans in 40 B.C., kept the peace in Palestine for 37 years. His ruthless control, coupled with genuine ability, has been recorded by the Jewish historian Josephus, who describes him as a man of great barbarity towards everyone. An Idumaean, married to the daughter of Hyrcanus, the last legal Hasmonean ruler, Herod was continually in fear of losing his throne. It is not surprising that the Wise Mens report of the birth of an infant King of the Jews (Matthew 2) caused him fear and anger. Although the event is not recorded in secular history, the story of the massacre of the Innocents is totally in keeping with what is known of Herods character.