Roman Cities, Jewish Cities - Hippodromes & Such

On our trip to Israel we learned there were Jewish cities and Hellenistic-Roman cities.  Jewish cities were places where monotheistic faith in God and obedience to the commands were important.  Jewish villages were generally smaller and poorer than Roman towns.  Elements of faith were also present, such as mezuzahs.

Roman cities contained places of worship for various gods.  They were also bastians of Hellenistic culture.  These cities contained centers of entertainment such as the Theaters which told stories of the gods, hippodromes where horse racing was part of the culture, and amphitheater where gladiators and animals fought. Excellent examples of these structures can be seen in Caesarea, Beit Guvrin and Beit Shean.  Other examples are known to have existed.

Roman towns were often governmental centers.  Caesarea-Maritima, Sipporis, Tiberias, and Beit Shean (Scythopolis) were known to be governmental centers.  Beit Shean is in the Jordan River valley, level ground, which is easy to travel, on the way to Jerusalem.  The ruins of this city are well preserved, with many standing columns on the cardo.  Pictures of Beit Shean today show up on pages 90 of Advent Journeys.

Both types of cities existed in the time of Jesus.  It is thought that Joseph lived in Nazareth, a small Jewish town, but walked 3 miles to Sipporis, the new government center in order to work.  Joseph was a carpenter, or a construction worker.  Homes in the area are built of stone. Buildings in Sipporis have elaborate mosaics on the floor.  Joseph could have been the artist who constructed these floors.

Jewish people stayed in their communities because they were careful not to get caught up in the ways of the gentiles.  Gentiles were interested in entertainment.  Jews were interested in observing the faith and in community.  People were more important than activities, and the Jews were known for their care for one another.

Putting this in perspective, the Gentiles would celebrate this season with giving (and getting) fo gifts; with elaborate decorations (lights and greenery), with their trees (which symbolized new life), parties, and entertainment.  Jews would have put the story before anything else.  Each day would open and close with a scripture.  Music would be important.  And they would make sure no one was alone this season.

Ahab and Herod: builders

Kings like to build.  The larger and more ornate the building, the better.  To show off their building projects they hold huge banquets and parties.  They do this to show off how great they are.  Rulers have sought to preserve their names in construction projects since the days Nimrod built his tower.

Solomon once wrote: “I did great things: I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made gardens and parks, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made pools of water for myself and used them to water my growing trees. I bought male and female slaves, and slaves were also born in my house. I had large herds and flocks, more than anyone in Jerusalem had ever had before. I also gathered silver and gold for myself, treasures from kings and other areas. I had male and female singers and all the women a man could ever want. I became very famous, even greater than anyone who had lived in Jerusalem before me. My wisdom helped me in all this.” (Eccl 2:4-9)

In today’s reading of Advent Journeys Joseph, the father of Jesus, comments on Ahab’s construction on the hill at Samaria.  Ahab built a number of palaces for himself, including the royal home overlooking the road Joseph probably used as he traveled to Bethlehem.  The palace and other buildings were decorated with ornate ivory carvings.  Ahab was quite a builder.  He erected numerous temples for himself or for his wife Jezebel.  He rebuilt other high places, such as the one in Dan, which was reconstructed over the high place of Jeroboam I.  Ahab desire for a safe kingdom produced fortifications in Megiddo, Hazor and Dan.  He is also credited with the massive water system at Megiddo with its 260 foot long tunnel.  The Bible notes in

King Herod, likewise was known for his building.  His most famous project was the Temple itself.  Herod’s Temple was larger than any of the other, but only lasted ninety years before being destroyed by Titus.  Herod also built (or re-built) fortresses for himself at Masada, Machaerus, Jericho, Herodium, Sebaste, Antonia.  He built Caesarea and other cities.  He reconstructed Abraham’s tomb in Hebron.  And Herod built many projects around the world including Olympic stadiums, Temples, Theaters and Hippodromes.

As a builder himself, Joseph probably admired these massive projects with innovations by each of the builders.  Joseph might have worked on some of these projects.  Some of the projects remain until this day.