 Although he built fortresses (Masada, Herodium, Alexandrium, Hyrcania, and Machaerus) in which he and his family could take refuge in case of insurrection, these vast projects were also intended to gain the support of the Jews and improve his reputation as a leader.Herod also built Sebaste and other pagan cities because he wanted to appeal to the country's substantial pagan population.In order to fund these projects, Herod utilized a Hasmonean taxation system that heavily burdened the Judean people.