Where Is Herod Buried?

The first century Jewish historian Josephus had a lot to say about Herod’s horrible death, and even gives a good description of his opulent funeral. He writes that “all the royal ornaments” were brought forth for the procession that took the king from Jericho, where he died: “The bier was of solid gold, studded with precious stones, and had a covering of purple, embroidered with various colors; on this lay the body enveloped in a purple robe, a diadem encircling the head and surmounted by a crown of gold, the sceptre beside his right hand.” Flanked by his sons, servants, officers and troops arrayed as for battle, “The body was … conveyed for a distance of two hundred furlongs to Herodium, where, in accordance with the directions of the deceased, it was interred. So ended Herod’s reign.”

The problem is, nobody has ever found Herod’s tomb.