Posted on 06/17/2002 5:06:40 PM PDT by blam
Jun. 16, 2002
Roman stadium found in Tiberias
By THE JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The remains of a monumental public building archeologists think may be a stadium from the first century CE have been found during a dig on the grounds of the Galei Kinneret Hotel in Tiberias.
The form of the building, its hewn stone construction, and round southern end date it from the Roman period, when it served an important public function.
Moshe Hartal, an archeologist with the Antiquities Authority, said it is possible the building is the stadium mentioned in the writings of Josephus Flavius.
"The stadium was used for athletic competitions, for horse races, and as a place to assemble the populace on special occasions," he said. "After the sea battle between the Jews and the Romans off Migdal, thousands of Roman captives were taken to the stadium. Some of them were killed and the others sold into slavery."
Hartal said in ancient times the building the remains so far uncovered occupy a diameter of 39 meters occupied an area of hundreds of square meters. It was uncovered when a 10-meter-long, three-meter deep trench was dug.
He said remains of mud found in the building's interior indicate it may have been used for water sports at a later date.
Other buildings from various periods, including the Byzantine, early Arab, and Fatimid, have also been uncovered.
The dig also provides evidence of two geological events that caused the collapse of the western side of the structure. As a result of the disturbances, walls collapsed or were uprooted. The events were probably the earthquake of 749 CE that caused the destruction of many settlements in the country, among them Beit She'an and Susita.
The Antiquities Authority is working to preserve the site and integrate it with the hotel.
That was after the gladiators left, thus making good on their threat to relocate to another city if they didn't get a new stadium with more luxury boxes and a retractable roof. Some things never change...
"Anno Domini" I understand. Vah! Denuone Latine loquebar? Me ineptum. Interdum modo elabitur. (Oh! Was I speaking Latin again? Silly me. Sometimes it just sort of slips out.)
(With credits to sirgawain.)
(I have a catapult. Give me all the money or I will fling an enormous rock at your head.)
93 Posted on 02/02/2001 18:21:34 PST by The Chid
Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on, off, or alter the "Gods, Graves, Glyphs" PING list --
Archaeology/Anthropology/Ancient Cultures/Artifacts/Antiquities, etc.
The GGG Digest -- Gods, Graves, Glyphs (alpha order)
http://www.livescience.com/imageoftheday/siod_050728.html
http://images.livescience.com/images/050728_siod_jcoin_04.jpg
The 'Jesus' Coin
Ker Than
This "Jesus coin" was dug up during excavations of Tiberias, an ancient town located along the coast of the Sea of Galilee in present-day Israel.
The town was named in honor of the Roman Emperor Tiberius and was built by Herod Antipas, a son of Herod the Great, during a time when Jesus was still just a teenager.
Tiberias has been popular with tourists and pilgrims for more than 2,000 years. In Roman times, visitors arrived from all over the ancient world to enjoy its 17 natural mineral springs. The town is also close to the city where Mary Magdalene was believed to be born and the site where Jesus is supposed to have fed a crowd of thousands with just a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread.
This coin is believed to have been brought to Tiberias from Constantinople where it was minted by a Christian pilgrim around the 11th century. Its backside bears the inscription "Jesus Christ King of Kings."
More Jesus coins were found inside a row of shops, along with oil lamps, glass and stone vessels, jewelry and frescoes.
I always read it as "Christian Era" and "Before Christian Era" just to take the PC out of it.
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