Rising like a man-made volcano from the Judean Desert, Herodium (Herodion) is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the world. Built by King Herod the Great between 23 and 15 BCE, this palace-fortress was not only a luxurious desert retreat but also the site Herod chose for his eternal resting place. Visible from miles away, the "Mountain of Herod" represents the peak of Roman-era engineering and the megalomaniac vision of Israel’s greatest builder. For traveler