Herod the Great built a summer palace for himself at Herodion, 4 miles southeast of Bethlehem. He wanted to see Jerusalem from his palace, but his advisors told him the hill he chose was not high enough for him to see Jerusalem. He said no problem, we'll make it higher. They built it up so he could see Jerusalem. Herod died in 4 BC. According to Josephus, he was buried at Herodion. His tomb was discovered in 2007.
The palace was used as a military base by the Jews against the Romans in the First Revolt (66-72 AD), then by the Romans (72-132 AD), and then by the Jews in the Second Revolt (132-135 AD) During the Second Revolt, the troops dug secret tunnels in the limestone bedrock so they could make surprise attacks against the Romans. It was used as a monastery in the 5th Century.
We visited Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Roman Emperor Constantine built it in 326 AD and Emperor Justinian rebuilt it in the 6th Century. It is the oldest continuously operating church in the world. It is shared by the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic Churches. The Catholic Priest Jerome translated the Bible into Latin in nearby caves about 400 AD. Bethlehem was the birthplace of Naomi's husband (Ruth's father in law), David, and Jesus.
We ate lunch at the Tent Restaurant. We finished the day at Shepherd's field, where we explored the hillside and valley, read and contemplated, and sang Christmas hymns.
Upper Herodian served as a stronghold for Herod's troops and included facilities for Herod's family.
Remains of a tower on Upper Herodion.
Tunnels were dug through the limestone bedrock.
View from the top of Herodion. A theater was built in the side of the hill (foreground in the lower right of the picture). Theater patron had a nice view of the country. Herod covered up the theater before he died, and built his burial chamber nearby.
Herod built a Grand Staircase from Lower Herodion toUpper Herodion. Before Herod died, he had much of the beautiful work on the Herodion covered up. This excavation uncovered part of the staircase. Perhaps he didn't want others to enjoy his work after he was gone. He was a jealous person. He killed some family members including a favorite wife because he felt threatened or jealous.
A rendition of what some of the construction may have looked like
At the Lower Herodion, Herod built a huge pool with an island in the center.
In the pool, by the island
In the pool with Dan and Erin Belnap. The man-made hill Herod built for his summer palace is in the background. Was Linda pretending to be a rabbit? I think she was getting ready to eat some of the delicious plants in the Judean dessert like those below:
Linda is touching a 14 point star in a cave under Church of the Nativity where Jesus may have been born.
Eating lunch at the Tent Restaurant with Kelly, Ryan, Dawn and Jay Fox, Jonathan, and Sean. We had lamb and chicken kabobs, French fries, whole wheat pita with many different sauces.
Shepherds Field with Bethlehem on the hill in the background.
Sheep and goats among the olive trees in Shepherd's Field
Watch tower on the hillside of Shepherd's Field
In the valley at Shepherd's Field
A watchtower from the valley of Shepherd's Field
A cave in the hillside of Shepherd's Field.
Bethlehem at night from Shepherd's Field
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