An aerial view of the amphitheater. Note the two circular walls, with the outer one representing the second, expanded phase of the building.Image credit: Matthew J. Adams
Posted on 08/29/2023 3:06:50 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Archaeologists in Israel have found a blood-red combat arena at Legio, a massive military base that housed Rome's "ironclad" legion in the second century.
The team found the military camp and its arena — designed not for theater entertainment but for combat training...
During excavations this summer, a team of archaeologists more thoroughly investigated the principia. This portion of the military compound includes an administrative center and religious structures. Outside the walls of the base, a cemetery and an amphitheater have been discovered, thanks in part to an innovative technology called ground-penetrating radar (GPR).
The ensuing dig exposed the remnants of the structures...
Overall, the military fortifications at Legio measure about 1,640 by 1,300 feet (500 by 400 meters) and housed some 5,000 soldiers from Legion II Trajana and Legion VI Ferrata...
The principia at Legio measures nearly 330 by 200 feet (100 by 60 m), and contains not only the administrative center, but also a "sacellum" or temple. According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, three toes carved from ivory were discovered within the sacellum. Most likely, they belonged to a statue depicting a Roman emperor, perhaps Hadrian (ruled A.D. 117 to 138), suggesting Roman imperial cult practices — in which an emperor was deified and worshiped as a god — occurred at Legio.
The legionary cemetery, outside the walls of the base, is also a significant area of study at Legio. Adams said the team is collecting "DNA samples that will help us to better understand the ethnic makeup of the legion. Were they primarily locals? Were they from the far reaches of the empire? This is an exciting way into understanding the makeup and recruiting practices of the army."
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
An aerial view of the amphitheater. Note the two circular walls, with the outer one representing the second, expanded phase of the building.Image credit: Matthew J. Adams
I TOLD you everyone would want their walls red as well, but would you listen?
‘Face
;o]
“The team found the military camp and its arena — designed not for theater entertainment but for combat training — near Megiddo, also known as Armageddon, the place where the Christian Bible foretells the battle at the end of the world will commence”.
If two archaeologists start fighting over the color of the walls we’re in trouble.
Maybe they wanted to constrast their place with Petra, the Rose-red City, half as old as time. ;^)
A likely excuse! LOL!
I’ve begun to catch up with Petra myself, if the first morning view in the mirror is any indication. ;^)
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