Herod the Great died in Jericho around 4 BCE after a prolonged and extremely painful illness, not by execution or in battle. Ancient historian Josephus describes severe physical torment and notes that Herod even attempted suicide shortly before his death, but the attempt failed and he died soon afterward of natural causes related to his disease.

Nature of his illness

Sources describe Herod’s final sickness as involving intense pain, putrefying sores, breathing difficulties, and general bodily convulsions. Modern medical analyses of these descriptions suggest he likely suffered from chronic kidney disease and related complications, along with arteriosclerosis and possible gangrenous infection.

Place and time of death

Herod died in Jericho during the last years of his reign, most commonly dated to 4 BCE, when he was about 69 or 70 years old. After his death, his body was taken for burial at Herodium, one of his fortress-palaces near Bethlehem.