Israeli archeologists from Jerusalem's Hebrew University announced on Monday the discovery of King Herod's grave and tomb at an ancient fortress complex south of the Israeli capital.

The team that conducted the successful dig was led by Professor Ehud Netzer, a noted expert on King Herod. The tomb was found at the Herodium palace fortress that Herod built some seven miles south of Jerusalem.

Herod ruled Judea as a vassal of the Roman Empire for 34 years. He is credited with a major expansion of the Temple Mount complex in Jerusalem, as well as the construction of Masada and the Mediterranean town of Caesarea.

Toward the end of his reign, a paranoid Herod had hundreds of male babies slaughtered after hearing that the Messiah and future king of Israel had been born in nearby Bethlehem.