There are two Herods referred to in the gospels. Herod the Great, appointed by Rome in 37 BC, was the ruler of all the Palestinian lands of the Jews at the time Jesus was born. He died shortly thereafter in 4 BC. His son, Herod Antipas, is the "King Herod" refered to during the years of Jesus' adulthood. He was not in fact a king but was the Tetrarch of approximately one-third of his father's domain - namely Galilee and Perea - during the years 26-36 AD. His brothers Archelaus and Philip ruled the remainder.
(73-4 BCE) a vassal king of Judea ( from 37 BCE) appointed by Romans. A great admirer of Greco-Roman culture, Herod launched a massive construction program, which included the cities of Caesarea and Sebaste and the fortresses at Herodium and Masada. He also remodeled the Temple into one of the most magnificent buildings of its time. Known also for his unprecedented cruelty; in his obsession of power, he killed not only most of his political opponents, but also his wife Mariamne and three of his sons.
king of Judea who (according to the New Testament) tried to kill Jesus by ordering the death of all children under age two in Bethlehem (73-4 BC)