How did Herod become king?

Answer 1

Antipater, an Idumea leader and father of Herod the Great, was appointed by the Romans as procurator of Judea in 47 BCE, with Hyrcanus II remaining as ethnarch. In 41 BCE, Mark Antony recognised Herod as the tetrarch. In 40 BCE, the Parthians captured Palestine, installing Antigonus on the Judean throne and forcing Herod to flee.

In 38 BCE, Rome defeated the Parthian armies but was unable to recover Jerusalem for the time being and (probably as compensation) recognised Herod as king of the Idumaeans and Samaritans. Roman legions under Herod's command captured Judea, except Jerusalem.

Finally, in 37 BCE, Herod resumed the siege of Jerusalem and captured the city. In 30 BCE, Augustus gave Herod control of the coast.