In 40 BCE, after the Parthian conquest of Syria, Herod fled to Masada. On the way, at the location of Herodion, Herod clashed with the Parthians and emerged victorious. According to the Roman Jewish historian Josephus, he "built a town on that spot in commemoration of his victory, and enhanced it with wonderful palaces... and he called it Herodion after himself" Mount Herodium, Palestine, 2012.

The church of the Nativity is occupied by three religions: Roman Catholics, Greek Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox. Unfortunately they provide a very poor example of Christian behavior since each one jealously guards their slice of territory and even have lines drawn on the floor to differentiate their area of control. They all also lay claim to controlling the "Key to the sculls". The sculls being the remains of the children which King Herod ordered to be killed shortly after Jesus was born, in an attempt to kill Jesus.

The old city of Hebron is characterized by narrow, winding streets, flat-roofed stone houses, and old bazaars. Shop keeper, Hebron, Palestine, 2012.