HERODIUM - RESOURCES

There are no references to Herodium in the Bible. 

However, the Wise Men or Magi travelled within miles of Herodium when they visited Jerusalem and Bethlehem (see the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2).

Map with Herodium and Jerusalem

NEWS - ARCHAEOLOGY AT HERODIUM

THE AUSTRALIAN, Friday November 21, 2008

Roman-era Mural at Herodium

Find Suggests Herod was a Theatre Fan

Herod the Great, the Roman-era Jewish king infamous for the biblical massacre of the innocents, had a taste for theatre, new excavations of his vast palace complex south of Jerusalem have found.

Archaeologists have uncovered a small amphitheatre with an attached VIP room lavishly decorated with well-preserved wall paintings of a design previously seen only in Italy, at sites in Rome and Pompeii.

The excavation team, led by Ehud Netzer of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, believe Herod brought in Italian craftsmen to produce the exquisite landscape scenes at the Herodium palace complex to which he gave his name, and which was the largest in the Roman world at the time."The room was obviously a loggia of sorts to be used by the king and his friends during shows," said Professor Netzer, who has been working at the site for three decades."It seems reasonable to assume that the construction of the theatre might be linked to the visit of (leading Roman politician and general) Marcus Agrippa in 15BC," he told a news conference called to announce the finds.

So far, only one complete painting has been uncovered. The others will remain protected by a mound of rubble until the archaeologists have put in place the measure required to preserve them after their excavation.

The painting shows a hillside scene with a deer, a barking dog and a demi-god by an altar, and is of a sort known as window paintings because they are supposed to give the illusion of a real landscape outside.

Dig surveyor Rachel Chachy-Laureys, who has been working with Professor Netzer for 13 years, said the style of the painting gave a precise date of between 15 and 10BC for the 750-seat theatre complex.

She said it was the only known example in the Holy Land of figurative art from the period.

Ms Chachy-Laureys said the team was hopeful more paintings might be unearthed in the theatre's orchestra pit.        AFP

Go to 'HERODIUM PHOTO GALLERY' for extra images

Mosaic Floor at Herodium