5377. Machaerus was originally built by the Hashmonean king Alexander Jannaeus) in about 90 BC. It was destroyed by the Romans in 57 BC. In 30 BC it was rebuilt by king Herod the Great to be used as a military base to safeguard his territories east of the Jordan. When King Herod died in 4 BC it was passed to his son; Herod Antipas; who ruled until 39 AD. At the beginning of the first century AD; John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded at Machaerus. Machaerus is located in Eastern Jordan 20 km south / west of Madaba at the 鈥楰ing's Highway'