The answer is: Herod the Great

Matthew 2:1 - reigning from 37 - 4 BC. We know from history records he was also known as Herod the Great.

Herod the Great wasn't just any king; he was a remarkable figure in history and a notorious ruler in the narrative of Jesus' birth. This man came to power in 37 BC and ruled until around 4 BC, making him the king at the time of Jesus’ entrance into the world. Herod was ambitious, known for his massive building projects, including the impressive renovation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. His grandiosity earned him the title "the Great," but it came hand in hand with paranoia and cruelty.

Perhaps one of the most gripping events linked to Herod is the massacre of the innocent children mentioned in Matthew 2. Out of fear that a new king (a reference to Jesus) would dethrone him, Herod ordered the killing of boys under the age of two in Bethlehem. This harrowing tale underscores Herod's ruthless grip on power and adds a heavy historical gravity to the nativity story.

To delve deeper into this context, interestingly, many stories from the ancient world swirl around leaders like Herod. For instance, the Roman historian Josephus dedicated significant portions of his works to Herod’s reign, providing invaluable insights into the guy behind the infamous tales.

Herod’s legacy remains a potent reminder of how power can corrupt, reverberating through history even to the present day. The tension between divine promises and earthly rulers is a timeless theme just waiting to be explored in deeper discussions about faith and power dynamics.