On 3/7/11, we visited the final resting place of Herod the Great -- after he was brought there from Jericho in April, 4 B.C. [See our Jan. '11 post, Jericho Field Trip.] From the back porch of our Church meeting place in Bethlehem, we saw its volcano-like peak looming 4 miles away.
Jewish historian Josephus Flavius described the Herodium's elaborate series of palaces and royal facilities from top to bottom. At the base was the largest villa complex in the Roman world, adjoining terraced apartments & his lower palace. (Where did he get enough water to fill this thing?) Today it is a national park.
Above the pool was Herod's lower palace. These students loved to climb!
Greg Coy made a new friend.
Some 200 vertical stairs up the slope led to the actual tomb, only discovered in 2007. It made big news and had its own commemorative stamp -- depicting the stairs, tomb opening & elaborate outside 80' high monument with its pilasters, cornices, columns and podium.
The tomb was excavated and Herod's elaborate but smashed pink limestone sarcophagus was restored by famed archaeologist Ehud Netzer. Sadly, he died soon after he fell there in Oct. 2010 -- just before our group was to meet with him.
Near the excavated tomb was also discovered a 450-seat amphitheatre.
The high hill was raised even more (to 300' ) for Herod's palace & fortress.
The huge palace & fortress was considered impregnable. But it was captured & became a command center in both Jewish Great Revolts of 66 and 132 AD. Both times Roman Legions recaptured and destroyed it.
Most impressive were four towers--the east one being over 100 feet high. Only the massive base still remains.
The futility of building monuments in life, so fully destroyed after death, is a key perspective.
Before leaving, we climbed down (and back up)105 tall steps thru deep tunnels built during both Jewish Great Revolts (66 and 132 AD.) Only discovered in 1972, some of these served as cisterns and others as rebel hideouts.
Our bus took a wide, newly landscaped road to the Herodium.
This fortress-palace was built to commemorate Herod's 40 BCE victory over the pursuing Parthians after the death of Pompey II. Of the many colossal works built by this pre-Christian ruler (in Masada, Caeseria, Tiberias, Jericho & Jerusalem), this is the only one to bear his name.
Jewish historian Josephus Flavius described the Herodium's elaborate series of palaces and royal facilities from top to bottom. At the base was the largest villa complex in the Roman world, adjoining terraced apartments & his lower palace. (Where did he get enough water to fill this thing?) Today it is a national park.
The Great Pool was as large as a soccer field. Students climbed the mid-pool "island" for another group photo.
It also had a Roman bath house with some impressive mosaic floors.
Between the palace and the vast pool was a terraced colonnade for apartments.
A Bedouin brought his small flock of sheep & goats to graze here.
Greg Coy made a new friend.
Some 200 vertical stairs up the slope led to the actual tomb, only discovered in 2007. It made big news and had its own commemorative stamp -- depicting the stairs, tomb opening & elaborate outside 80' high monument with its pilasters, cornices, columns and podium.
The tomb was excavated and Herod's elaborate but smashed pink limestone sarcophagus was restored by famed archaeologist Ehud Netzer. Sadly, he died soon after he fell there in Oct. 2010 -- just before our group was to meet with him.Near the excavated tomb was also discovered a 450-seat amphitheatre.
The high hill was raised even more (to 300' ) for Herod's palace & fortress.
The huge palace & fortress was considered impregnable. But it was captured & became a command center in both Jewish Great Revolts of 66 and 132 AD. Both times Roman Legions recaptured and destroyed it.
Panoramic views included Jerusalem (north) and Bethlehem (NE).
These catapult balls deterred any assaulting forces.
The futility of building monuments in life, so fully destroyed after death, is a key perspective.
Before leaving, we climbed down (and back up)105 tall steps thru deep tunnels built during both Jewish Great Revolts (66 and 132 AD.) Only discovered in 1972, some of these served as cisterns and others as rebel hideouts.
While descending the Herodium, we saw more sheep grazing below. And one more flock stopped traffic upon our entering Bethlehem.
After a full day, we passed the check point before sunset.
The evening was spent at "Shepherd's Fields," really on a hilltop. [See Oct. '10 post, Back to Bethlehem, and Dec. '10 post, Yearend Holidays.]
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