Monuments

Masada, Synagogue

The ancient fortress of Masada is located near the western shore of the Dead Sea about ten miles south of the town of En-gedi. Situated on top of a cliff rising over 1,200 feet above the surrounding desert, the fortress was originally constructed during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus (103""76 BCE) and later extensively expanded under Herod the Gre...

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Theater at Beth Shean

This spectacular theater was built during the Roman period in the Decapolis city of Beth Shean, known also by its Greek name, Scythopolis. It was more than 360 feet in diameter and seated over 7,000 people....

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Solomon's Gate at Gezer

Solomon's Gate at Gezer is an ancient archaeological site located in Israel. It is believed to have been built during the reign of King Solomon in the 10th century BCE. The gate is an impressive structure made of large stones and is a testament to the advanced engineering and architectural skills of the time. The gate is part of the larger city of ...

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Caesarea Amphitheatre

Caesarea Amphitheatre is an ancient Roman amphitheater located in Caesarea, Israel. Built in the 1st century AD during the rule of King Herod, this amphitheater is one of the most well-preserved and impressive Roman structures in the region. With a capacity of around 15,000 spectators, the Caesarea Amphitheatre was used for various events, includi...

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The Temple Podium, Caesarea Philippi

The reconstructed platform, or podium, near the cave at Caesarea Philippi was originally the base of a temple either to the Roman emperor Augustus or to Pan (or possibly both). The entrance to the Grotto (or cave) of Pan is seen to the left of the Podium. Niches in the cliff face originally held statues of Pan and other gods. The largest arched nic...

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Temple Mount

Also known as Haram, Haram Ash-Sharif, Haram esh-Sharif, Mount Moriah, the Noble Sanctuary, Temple Platform. The present Temple Mount was constructed by Herod the Great beginning in 20 B.C. Construction on it continued for 83 years until 64 A.D. when a halt was called to the project and 18,000 workers were laid off (riots resulted). The Temple Moun...

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Caesarea Philippi

Also known as Baal-gad, Banias, Baniyas, Banyas, Barias, Belinas, Caesarea Neronias, Caesarea of Philip, Caesarea Paneas, Caesarea Panias, Caesareia Sebaste, Keisarion, Kisrin, Medinat Dan, Mivzar Dan, Neronias, Pamias, Paneas, Paneias, Paneion, Panias, Panium....

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Niches, Caesarea Philippi

These niches originally held statues of the pagan gods worshipped at Caesarea Philippi. The largest is actually an artificial cave that leads to a niche in the cliff itself. This niche apparently held a statue of Pan. Above it is another niche with an inscription indicating that a priest named Victor dedicated the statue of the goddess in the niche...

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Grotto of Pan

Against the cliff and in the large cave on the left, in the third century BC, was a cult center to the fertility god Pan. This center probably was built to compete with the high place at Dan, about three miles away....

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Mudbrick Gate of Tel Dan

In the Middle Bronze Age, around the eighteenth century BCE, the occupants of Dan constructed a massive city gate on the eastern side of the city. Built entirely of mudbricks surviving today as high as 47 courses, the gate featured three enormous arches framing the entryway into the city. Classical archaeologists once boasted that it was the Romans...

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