exist in place today).

Inasmuch as only Kohanim (the Jewish priest class) are permitted to enter the central zones of the Temple, 1,000 Kohanim were trained as masons and stone–cutters.

It is not clear how long the entire process took from start to finish; estimates range from 3 years to 25 years. But Herod was good at completing projects and an experienced mastermind. So, the central Temple was probably complete within two years, with the entire Temple Complex essentially complete within fourteen years (by 8 BCE).

“He who has not seen the Temple of Herod,
has never seen anything truly beautiful.”

 – (alleged) First Century BCE saying

 Note: Temple functions (including karbanot, or animal sacrifices) apparently continued uninterrupted throughout construction (somehow).

20–35 BCE: THE FLEETING MINI–STATE

Two brothers Hanilai and Hasinai (Anilaeus and Asineaus) establish a short–lived “Jewish State” in the region of Nehardea (Persia/Babylon).

13 BCE: HEROD THE OVER–ACHIEVER

Herod completes Caesarea Maritima, the port city of Caesarea, in honor of his patron Caesar in Rome, with another temple, this one dedicated to the divine spirit of Augustus. Thus, Herod shows that he is an “equal opportunity temple builder”: one for the Jews and one