Tag Archives: Roman

Masterpiece at Our Feet

High on a hill north of Nazareth in Galilee stands a partially restored Roman mansion and Crusader citadel.web-size IMG_5418_edited-2

The restored portion of mansion is not huge, but impressive nonetheless. Impressive due, mostly, to the large inlaid mosaic tile floor. The great room of the house is entirely covered by this large, colorful, intricately designed artwork depicting scenes from the life of the god Dionysus. web-size

The mosaic’s most special feature is a woman’s face, known as the “Mona Lisa of Galilee.”web-size

Down the side of the hill from the prominent dwelling are the remains of a city, Zippori, or Sepphoris. Much of the city is still being unearthed, and is not as spectacular as others in terms of massive structures or marble pillars.web-size

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Zippori is believed to have been a center of commerce in Galilee, containing many administrative buildings. What I found so remarkable and worth reporting is the flooring. These floors were meant to impress. And impress they did.web-size

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A pavilion-style structure has been erected over a large portion of what has been recovered in order to protect the mosaics from the elements. Many are amazingly well-preserved. web-size

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There is no evidence of wall adornment in this city, though it may have existed. If not, it’s not for lack of taste or artistic ability. Every room contained a masterpiece at our feet.web-size

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The art is not limited to indoor flooring, either. The sidewalks were once wide and beautifully covered in the same tiny tiles.web-size

In this city that Herod conquered in 37 B.C. which later became the seat of the Jewish council, the Sanhedrin, feet were meant to step on style. No dusty gravel or chintzy paths in this town where Herod Antipas ruled and lived before founding Tiberias. From floors to sidewalks to cart-rutted streets, all were meant to impress. And impress they did.web-size

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©Erika Rice

 

First Glimpses

When we peaked out the window at dawn’s early light, it was to rain-soaked streets and gray skies, a dampening first glimpse.web-sizeI was immediately thankful that my good man convinced me to pack both raincoat and umbrella. We were headed for a long stretch outdoors along the sea at a place built by Herod to impress Caesar Augustus – Caesarea Maritime.

The first glimpse of Caesarea, however, is not Roman, but Crusader built, complete with moat.web-sizeAnd first glimpses here do not disappoint.web-sizeNor do second or third glimpses.web-sizeCome with me through the gate of a Crusader citadel-town built on top of the ruins of the Roman and Byzantine Empires.web-sizeA wide angle lens is necessary to capture the scope of this place. For me, that’s a fish-eye. It’s the widest I own.web-sizeJust look at that ceiling! web-sizeAnd the thickness of those walls!web-sizeDid I mention the thickness of those walls? IMG_5081_edited-2After pondering that for a moment, glance down around you. You may just notice big hunks of marble.web-sizeGobs of marble.web-size

web-sizeAnd if that’s not enough to make you wonder, let  me direct you to the Mediterranean Sea and the remnants of King Herod’s amazing engineering feat, a deep-water harbor that welcomed worldwide trade to this Roman province.web-sizeThe south side of the harbor holds new construction on top of the remains of a Crusader tower that was built on the remains of the Roman harbor.web-size

IMG_5111_edited-2Caesarea was built by King Herod beginning in 20 B.C. as he strove to make an impression on Caesar Augustus. He constructed a massive harbor, palaces, hippodrome, and amphitheater, and made his city a thriving metropolis. It became the official residence of governors, including Pontius Pilate and lasted for 600 years under Roman governance. In 646, it fell to the Persians, who left a layer of their own construction on top of remains of the original city. No one built, rebuilt or reinforced Caesarea to the scale that Herod had first created.web-sizeThis photo has nothing to do with all that. I simply love the aesthetic of the sculpture/tree pairing. It’s okay to take a moment to just enjoy it. But then we need to keep moving. There’s so much more to see. Next, you will get some idea of the layers upon layers of construction. These marble columns lay where they were uncovered, under floors and streets.web-sizeTurning back toward the Sea for just a moment, you get a good view of this mosque built in 1809 by Serbian Muslims. The grassy area in the foreground is believed to have been under water in Herod’s day, and a likely place for the Apostle Paul to have boarded a vessel for Rome after appealing to Caesar.web-sizeIf you turn around then, you will see the remains of a Byzantine shop-lined street that stood along the waterfront.IMG_5113_edited-2And this is the photogenic end of that Byzantine street.web-sizeIt ushers us into the layers of Roman construction, with all its fabulous arches.web-sizeIt’s impossible to avoid the arches. And who would want to avoid the arches, given the choice. Not I.web-sizeBut before I get too carried away by arches, you must see this governor’s bath. He was enough of a bigshot to warrant marble-lined tubs and marble columns in his personal space. Just a little aside before we head into the hippodrome, because everyone needs a bathroom break before the big event.web-size As you leave the bathroom, don’t miss the fabulously tiled floor in the next room. Tiny mosaic tiles create this flooring. Art was not just for the walls where Rome was concerned.IMG_5143_edited-2When you get over the intricate detail on that piece of flooring and raise your eyes, you will see it in front of you – the Caesarean hippodrome. The big, open space stretching into the distance was once the scene of thundering chariot races. Up on the rise, you catch your first sight of important government buildings we’ll get to later in the tour. The woman in the foreground is Susan, our brilliant tour guide. web-sizeThis is the turn at the end of that dirt track, a little tight for a thundering chariot pulled by four horses, if you ask me, let alone multiple chariots. I’m guessing it made for some racing excitement, though. The low walls lining the arena were covered in beautifully painted tiles.web-sizeWould you like a seat in the corner of the arena?

web-sizeIt might give an unencumbered view of the start and the horse stalls. (And the aforementioned fabulous arches).web-sizeA close-up of the stalls.web-sizeThe next view is meant to give you a sense of the layer-by-layer excavating that has taken place in Caesarea Maritime. It’s remarkable.web-sizeTake one last look, will you, at all we covered on this history-saturated tour. The Crusader tower built on top of Herod’s harbor rubble is on the very left in the distance. The mosque tower is in the center. Directly behind those fabulous Roman arches you can see on the right, stands the Crusader gate through which we entered Caesarea, and of course, you can’t miss the hippodrome, barely saved from the crashing Mediterranean Sea by a small stone wall.web-sizeThere is much more to see in Caesarea. I have spent hours poring over pictures, written history, and artists’ renditions trying to keep it all straight in my mind. I’m still not always sure that it is. Maybe a little photo tour will only confuse, but I hope it will inspire you to read a little bit more. Sometimes all we need is a first glimpse to usher us through the gate to stand in front of the fabulous arches.

 

©Erika Rice