All too often I forget that there are terms and expressions that I use all the time as a guide. I take for granted that my audience understands what I am saying, forgetting that they may not be so familiar with them. In fact it may be the first time ever they hear those expressions.

How do I know this? Often, I see it in the eyes. Like a blank expression.

So that you will not have that expression I will here explain some of these terms. If I forget some, remind me, and I will explain them another time.

Dating

Throughout the world it has been common to use the terms BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini – The year of the Lord) to designate dates.
In Israel, and in most of the academic world, two different terms are being used.
BCE (before common era) and CE (common era). Basically they say the same as the first two, but are to some more
“politically” correct, or maybe I should here say “religiously” correct.

I use these last two, mainly out of habit.

Tell

Tel Hannaton, courtesy biblewalks.com

This term is not related to Israel only, but to the whole Middle East, and maybe also other parts of the world. Tell is an Arabic word which means hill or mound, usually artificial, i.e. not a natural hill, but rather a hill that grew up through the development of history. It is very much an archaeological term.

A tell is a place where people have lived for centuries, often even millenia. The first settlement would be on a small hill for better defense, usually with easy access to water and agricultural land, even adjacent to a road . As time went on this settlement was destroyed, sometimes through natural causes, more often through war. In some instances it may have been abandoned for a shorter or longer period of time.

Whatever the reason, when the place was rebuilt, it was rebuilt on top of the remains of the previous settlement. Luckily for us they did not have bulldozers in those days. They would clear out the place, remove some of the building stones, and use them in the new structures.

A rough sketch of layers of a tell. Names have been inserted for clarification

This would continue again and again over the centuries. Since the new settlement was built on top of the old, it would now be higher. This process would cause the original hill to grow. Some tells can be very deep with up to 20 main layers, others may only have a few. They all usually have the same tell-tale signs of gently sloping sides and a relatively flat top.

For archaeologists a tell is a treasure trove. When opened up properly, the tell will show the strata (layers). Each strata belongs to a specific period, and through the artifacts and remains, even building structures, archaeologists can date each level. And through all these findings tell us how people once lived, what occupied their time, we can learn about their beliefs, and much much more.

The Roman theatre is found in all countries that were under Roman influence. It was one of the most important cultural and social gathering places. It was in the theater that Roman citizens could watch plays, pantomimes, choral events, and orations.   It was a place for politicians and officials to explain themselves and hopefully gain favor with the public.

The Roman theatre was built on similar principles as the Greek theatre. However, the Greeks built their theatres on slopes and mountain sides, while the Romans could build them anywhere due to the invention of the arch.

Many people confuse theater and amphitheater. Almost all Roman cities had a theater, but only few an amphitheater. The structure of the buildings and the events in each were very different. Many Roman theaters have been found in Israel, but only two amphitheaters.

half circular orchestra, with scenae (stage), and scenae fons (back wall)

The theater was semi-circular in shape. On the flat side was the scaenae (stage) with the scaenae frons behind it. This was a wall several stories high, with niches containing statues and decorations. It often served as prop for the events on stage, and was also an integral part of the acoustics. The stage was raised, just like in modern theaters, to allow for better viewing. The front of the stage (proscaenium) also had niches with sculptures to decorate.

In front of this was a semi-circular flat area (the orchestra). In the Greek theater it was known as chorus (choir), and used by the story tellers. Roman plays did not use story tellers, but often had musicians accompanying the plays. They would be seated in the orchestra.

The seats (auditorium) rose up from the orchestra. Often there would be a special seating area half way up and in the center. This was reserved for the ruler, governor or VIP’s all together.

A careful look will show the curved underside of the seats

The theaters were generally able to seat thousands. It was therefore important to create good acoustics, so even those sitting on the higher seats would be able to hear. By building as they did, semi-circular space contained within an area with equally high walls all around, they basically created a sound chamber. But to enhance the sound they also carved the underside of the seats curved. This basically caused the sound to roll upward.

The seating area would be topped with a covered stoa (a roof covered colonnade). Entry and exit to the seating areas was through the vomitoria.

The whole structure was open to the skies. Performances usually took place in the summer during day time and often lasted a whole day. This created a problem, as even then nobody would last long in the hot Mediterranean sun. In order to make it more pleasant for the spectators, awnings (vela) could be pulled out over the auditorium.

In most of the Roman theaters the acoustics still work to some extent, even tough they are all in ruins. This simply attests to the amazing architectural abilities of ancient Rome.

The Roman theaters in Israel are beautiful and many quite well preserved. They are by no means the largest, which was Teatro Marcello in Rome with a seating capacity of 12000. Many of the Roman Theaters have undergone excavation and restoration and are used for performances of many different kinds.

Towns in Israel with Romans theatres have been found in Israel
Caesarea Maritime (4000)
Scythopolis (Beit Shean) (7000)
Eleutheropolis (Beit  Guvrin)
Hamat Gader
Tzippori
Tiberias
Hippos
Shuni (Binyamina)

Palace and hippodrome from the south

No tour through Caesarea is complete without a visit Herod’s palace. Although completely in ruins enough remains for us to see the enormous size of the largest of all the palaces built by Herod the Great. The partial reconstruction is an invaluable addition to understand what Herod’s palace must have looked like.

Caesarea was an impressive construction. As was Herod’s way he always chose the most impressive and often most difficult place for his own palace. In Caesarea he outdid himself.

The palace is situated on a promontory into the Mediterranean Sea on the south side of Caesarea, lodged between the theater and the hippodrome. In its final form it consisted of two levels, the lower, western level being earlier that the higher eastern level.

Reconstruction*

Entrance to the palace was from east, through a massive entry way that leads to the large courtyard (42 x 65 m). This courtyard was surrounded on all sides by a roof covered colonnade. The center of the courtyard had most likely been planted with trees, palms and shrubs that may even have created small secluded areas.

The courtyard was surrounded by rooms, the most impressive to be seen on the north side. This room has been named the Audience Hall. If so, this may have been the place where the rulers and governors received visitors and reviewed cases, such as Felix meeting Paul (Acts 24:26).

In the center of the courtyard stands a stone with an inscription. This stone has nothing to do with Herod. The stone is known as the Pontius Pilate stone, as the inscription mentions this important governor by name. It is most likely that Pontius Pilate, like all the other Roman governors, lived in this palace after Judea comes under direct Roman rule in the year 70 BE and made Caesarea the capital of the new Roman province.

On the northwest corner of the upper palace is a staircase leading down to the lower level. Unfortunately most of us can only look at the lower level from the upper level as the staircase is almost completely eroded away by the waves of the Mediterranean.

Pool, Lower Palace

What first strikes the visitor looking on the Lower Level is the large (35x18m) pool. The pool was surrounded by columns and rooms with a tall column in the center. Just below the viewpoint from the Upper Palace is the triclinium (93 m square). It’s difficult to see it and the two rooms adjoining, as they have been covered over to protect the mosaics found there.

Every time I come to this palace I am impressed. The sheer size of it, the scope, the location on the premonotory, the view over the Mediterranean. This is probably one of the most difficult sites for me to explain on paper !

* Student’s reconstruction of palace seen from the north. Courtesy Caesarea Maritima, a project of the University of Pennsylvania Museum

Overlooking excavations toward Tel Beit Shean

Beit Shean is located in the Jordan Valley, some 30 km south of the Sea of Galilee. It is considered one of the oldest towns of Israel. Archaeological excavations have revealed that the first human settlement took place in the Calcholitic period (4th millennium BCE). But it is most famous as the Roman city Scythopolis.

Origins and Name
As with many other ancient towns it was travel routes that determined location. Beit Shean is situated on the cross roads of the north-south route through the Jordan Valley and the eastern entrance to the Jezreel Valley at a point, where there is easy crossing over the Jordan River. It could therefore serve as a stop on the trading routes, as well as a buffer town and defense of the Jezreel Valley, the largest and most fertile valley in Israel.

The origin of the name is lost in the mist of time, but place names beginning with Beit (house) is an indication of the age of the site. The name may have derived from a god by the name of Shean, once worshiped in this place. Excavations have revealed almost continual settlement from the beginning to 8th century BCE, when it was conquered and destroyed by Tiglath Pileser III of Assyria, when he conquered the Kingdom of Israel in 732 BCE.

From the theater toward Tel

It was resettled in the Hellenistic period, but attained its finest hours in the Roman and Byzantine periods, when it became known as Scythopolis, one of the cities of the Decapolis. It is mainly this period that is Beit Shean’s cause to fame, and part of the Israeli touring map.

Excavations and History
The excavations have revealed a strong Egyptian influence in 15-12th centuries BCE. According to the Bible it was one of the cities that were NOT conquered by Joshua, and it continued as a Philistine-Canaanite town till the early part of the 10th century BCE, when it was destroyed, possibly by King David.

Although not part of the areas settled by the early Israelites, Beit Shean in mentioned in the Bible (I Samuel 31:10-12) as the place where the bodies of King Saul and his sons were impaled after their defeat at Mt. Gilboa to the south. It is also mentioned as an important administrative center during the reigh of King Solomon (I Kings 4:12). After its conquest by the Assyrians in the late 8th century BCE, it declined in importance and very little evidence has been found from this period.

Greek and Roman
In the Hellenistic period (beg. 323 BCE) the town sees a revival. But only with the advent of the Romans under General and triumvir Pompey in 67 BCE does the town rise to new importance. As part of the new administrative order Beit Shean is given a new name, Scythopolis, and made part of the Decapolis, Union of Ten Cities, with the other nine towns being on the east side of the Jordan River.

As the name indicates, it became an autonomous town (polis) with extensive self-ruling rights, including the right to mint its own coins, as well as counting the years from this date. Dionysis was accredited with having founded the city, and was therefore the main Roman god worshiped here. Nysa, Dionysis’ nursemaid, was believed to be buried there.

Massive new public and private construction begins, little of which can be seen today, due to reconstruction in later periods. It is primarily in the 2nd century CE that Scythopolis reached its final shape that we can see today.

Following the earthquake in 363 it was rebuilt and expanded. Many churches were built in the city, often on top of the former Roman temples. The expansion continued through the fifth century , when Scythopolis became an important resting place for Christian pilgrims journeying between Galilee and Jerusalem. It reached its greatest size then, some 40.000 residents.

Arab and Crusader
As a result of wars in the early seventh century and the conquest by the Arabs in 636 the city begins its final decline. The collapse of the city was finalized on January 18, 749 during the massive earthquake that shook the whole region. Although an Arab village was built on the ruins, and a Crusader fortress was built nearby, Beit Shean never recovered and got buried under the earth and sand of time.

Only the modern excavations have begun to reveal the glory that was Beit Shean/Scythopolis.

A tour through Beit Shean should include
The Theater
The Great Bath House
The Street of Palladious, The Sigma Square, Mona Lisa Mosaic
The Monumental Building
The Amphitheater

The tour can also include:
Sylvanus Street, Nymphaeum, Colonaded Pool
Tel Beit Shean

Brief Guided Tour of Caesarea

Caesarea is probably one of the most famous ancient cities of Israel, apart from Jerusalem.
It was founded around the year 22 BCE* by Herod the Great, and named in honor of Caesar Augustus.

Due to the great port built by Herod, the town becomes one of the hubs of the country. It remains one of the main port cities until its final destruction by the Mamelukes in the late 13th century.

From the creation of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority in its various developments, Caesarea has been one of the most visited sites.

Parts of the ancient Roman city have been partly reconstructed, especially the theater, which is used every summer as one of the most spectacular outdoor stages for all the performing arts.

When you visit Caesarea allow yourself good time, not just to walk the city, but also to see the Caesarea Experience, where the virtual movie will take you back to Herod’s Dream, but where you can also ask questions of 12 historical figures associated with Caesarea, such as Herod, Pontius Pilate, Queen Helena and Hanna Shenesh.

*BCE – Before Common Era. CE – Common Era

Join me in a brief movie through Ceasarea

Brief Historical Outline of Caesarea

2nd century BCE
First settlement, Strato’s Tower, small Sidonian village

22 BCE

Caesar Augustus

Founded by Herod the Great (ruled 37-4 BCE), named in honor of the Roman Emporer Caesar Augustus. The town is centered around a deep sea port, Sebastia, the second largest port in the Roman Empire. Around this were built storerooms, market places, imposing public buildings, bath housesa theatre, a hippodrome, temples to Rome and Augustus, as well as Herod’s own palace, and housing for the ordinary citizens.

6 CE
Judea comes under direct Roman rule, and Caesarea becomes the capital of Judea. The Roman governor had his residence here. The first to be verified as such is Pontius Pilate (26-36 CE), on a dedication stone carrying his name, found in the Roman theatre during excavations.

Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, is the first gentile to be converted to Christianity by Peter. Paul is kept in house arrest here, before sailing to Rome and his trial.

66 CE
A strife breaks out between the Jewish and Syrian communities of Caeserea, which includes the desecration of the Jewish synagogue. The becomes one of the contributary causes of the First Jewish Rebellion against Rome (66-70 BC).

After the rebellion the town continues to thrive as one of the foremost maritime towns of the area and the Roman empire.

3rd-6th century
Early Christian scholars and church fathers, such as Origen, establish study centers. Eusebius (260-340) becomes the first Bishop of Caesarea.

From 324, with the acceptance of Christianity as a religion within the Roman Empire, by Emperor Constantine the Great, Caesarea becomes an

Constantine the Great , Hagia Sophia Mosaic

important venue for pilgrims arriving to the Holy Land or departing.

Due to the shifting of the sea bed and earthquakes, the port has begun to disintegrate, but is still big and important trading point.

636
Palestine and Caesarea are conquered by the Arabs. Due to its continued disintegration, the town loses its splendor and declines.

1101-1291
The town falls to the Crusaders, who build a large fortress over and around the ruins of the harbor. Caesarea becomes an

Crusader Knight

important town for the Crusaders in maintaining contact with Europe. 1187 – Following the Crusader defeat at the Horns of Hittin, Caesarea is taken by Salah E-din, who
proceeds to demolish its fortifications.

1219 – Retaken by the Crusaders, who start to refortify the town. This is completed by Louis IX of France in 1251. 1291 – The town falls for the last time, this time to the Mameluke Sultan Baybars, who proceeds to completely demolish the town.

Caesarea and the whole coastal plain lies desolate and unused for almost 500 years.

1878
The Turks allows a small group of refugees from Bosnia to settle within the ruins of Caesarea. They rebuild some of the buildings as well as the mosque and its minaret, one of the landmarks in modern Caesarea.

20th Century
Large areas of land around Caesarea was in private ownership of the Rothschild family. With the establishement of the State of Israel these areas come under the development of the The Caesarea Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Foundation, to which was later added the Development Corporation Ltd.

Many archaeological excavations of ancient Caesarea, as well an reconstruction and reuse of certain part.

More information:
Caesarea Official Tourist Site
Caesarea Development Corporation