Herod’s father, Antipater II, was assassinated by a political enemy, to which Herod responded in kind. His brother Phasael’s death is shrouded in mystery—did he commit suicide or was he murdered while in Parthian custody? During his career, Herod “executed” his second wife Mariamne I, and two of his sons by her, Alexander III and Aristobulus IV for plotting against him. When the Magi arrived at Herod’s court in Jerusalem, a third son, Antipater III (his eldest son by his first wife Doris) was in prison awaiting execution.
“…assassinations tied up in armed mutinies, palace intrigue, dynastic struggles, and racial hatred [are] …more about prejudice, greed, and personal ambition than genuine politics.”
Robert B. Baer, The Perfect Kill: 21 Laws for Assassins
Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.
Matthew 2:16 NKJV