Beit Govrin
The remains of a Roman
amphitheater at Beit Govrin (known in the Roman
period as Eleutheropolis) in the Judean flatlands southwest of Jerusalem,
were uncovered in the mid-1990s. The amphitheater was built in the
2nd century, on the northwestern outskirts of the then city of Beit
Govrin. It is an elliptical structure (71 x 56 m.), built of large,
rectangular limestone ashlars. It had a walled arena of packed earth,
with subterranean galleries. The arena was surrounded by a series of
connected barrel vaults, which formed a long, circular corridor and
supported the stone seats above it; staircases led from the outside
and from the circular corridor to the tribunes.
A vaulted room (3.8 x 3.2
m.) beneath the western tribune probably served for cultic purposes (sacellum).
It contained two votive incense altars, one bearing a Greek
dedicatory inscription, and over a hundred oil lamps.
This amphitheater, in which
gladiatorial contests took place, could seat about 3,500 spectators.
It was built for the Roman troops stationed in the region after the
suppression of the Bar Kochba
rebellion (132 - 135) and was in use until destroyed by
earthquake in 363. It is located in the national park of Beit Govrin,
has been partially restored and is open to the public.
Sources: Ministry
of Foreign Affairs |