The Archaeology of Roman Palestine

Abstract

The latest installment in NEA's series, "Archaeological Sources for the History of Palestine" (ASHP), presents a comprehensive overview of the three phases of the Roman era in Palestine. The Early Roman Period includes the numerous building projects of Herod the Great. Chancey and Porter review Herod's initial projects including Cypros, Masada, Jerusalem, and Jericho. The second phase of Herod's building endeavors includes the cities of Sabaste in Samaria and Caesarea Maritima on the coast as well as rebuilding the Jerusalem Temple and palace complex. At the same time Herod began constructing the fortress palaces of Herodium and Machaerus. This article also surveys Nabatean sites, including breathtaking Petra with its enormous necropolis and impressive civic quarter, and the large cultic sites of Khirbet et-Tannur, southeast of the Dead Sea, where the Nabateans constructed a large temple complex, and Seeia, in the southern part of modern Syria with its long processional way, three terraces, and temple complex. Herod's three sons continued in their father's footsteps when it came to constructing major urban centers. The constructions of Sepphoris and Tiberias by Antipas receive particular attention. The authors also examine Nazareth and Capernaum, the best known of the cities of Galilee, owing to their connections to Jesus and St. Peter. Other early Roman remains come to light from the excavations at Caesarea Panias, Gamala, Bethsaida and Tell Anafa. Finally, the impact of the Roman campaigns and destruction is very visible from the archaeological record. In contrast to the early period, the Middle and Late Roman periods are not as well documented in literary sources. Thus archaeology is of extreme importance for providing useful information that cannot be found in the brief portrayals found in Roman histories and rabbinic anecdotes. The economic growth that resulted from direct Roman control of Palestine is amply attested in the archaeological record. Cities benefiting from increased trade include Gerash and Tel Heshbon. Yet economic prosperity hardly tells the full story. Chancey and Porter sift through the subtleties of numismatic and archaeological evidence to unpack Hadrian's reign and the famous Bar Kokhba Revolt. After the revolt, Hadrian chose "Aelia Capitolina" as the name for his rebuilt city of Jerusalem. Much of the layout of the modern Old City is indebted to Hadrian's design. Rome's growing interest in the east is further evidenced in the Middle and Late Roman periods with the thriving of the cities of the Decapolis and the cities of the region of Samaria. Many Judeans migrated north due to the Bar Kokhba Revolt, and thus the spiritual center of Judaism shifted to the Galilee region. The Middle Roman period in particular is noteworthy for the distinct architecture of its synagogues.