While it is true that Herod the Great did not build the entire Second Temple, he did undertake a significant renovation and expansion of the temple complex. Herod's contributions included the construction of the Western and Southern walls, as well as the expansion of the Temple Mount platform. He also added several new structures, such as the Royal Stoa and the Antonia Fortress.

The Second Temple was originally built by Zerubabbel in the 6th century BCE, and it was later renovated by Herod the Great in the 1st century BCE. The temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE, and it has never been rebuilt.