Herodian entertainment structures

Entertainment structures constituted a significant part of the Herodian building projects in Herod's kingdom and beyond, serving his internal and external political interests. They were an important means for disseminating Greco-Roman culture, and enhancing Herod's reputation as patron of arts and agonistics. According to Josephus, theatres were built in Jerusalem, Jericho, Caesarea, Sidon and Damascus; amphitheatres/ hippodromes in Jerusalem, Jericho, and Caesarea. Gymnasia were constructed only outside his realm, in Tripolis, Damascus and Ptolemais, and in Cos he set a yearly endowment for the gymnasiarch. In year 12 BCE, as a reward for his munificence in providing funds for the Olympic Games, Herod was awarded the title of perpetual president (agônothetês) of the games. In the private sphere his palaces were provided with swimming pools ( Jericho, Hyrcania, Masada), and sailing pools ( Jericho, Herodium). The remains of Herodian theatres and amphitheatres are examined here. Those at Caesarea (both inaugurated in year 10 BCE) still survive. Other extant structures, like the stadium at Samaria/Sebaste, or the Herodium course, not mentioned by Josephus, are attributed to him by archaeologists. The theatre of Caesarea, stone-built, was of the Roman type; that built earlier in Jerusalem (before 28 BCE), is believed to have been a wooden structure, following the practice prevalent at Rome at that time. Herod's stone-built "amphitheatre" at Caesarea was a multi-purpose entertainment stadium. It was provided with starting-gates (carceres) to accommodate chariot races (hippika), in addition to the regular athletics ( gymnika). Hence the term hippo-stadium has been coined to designate this type of stadium. Roman spectacles - gladiatorial combats (munera), and chasing of wild beasts (venationes) took there place as well. This stadium of Caesarea, with stone cavea and sphendone, represents the culminating stage in the evolution of Herodian stadia, from a simple rectangular arena surrounded all around by porticos in Samaria/Sebaste, through that of Jericho - with three porticos and an earthen sphendone supporting wooden seats on one of the narrow sides. The startinggates of the hippo-stadium of Caesarea, set parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arena, suggest races on the Olympic style, prevalent in the Hellenistic world, rather than of the Roman style, à la Circus Maximus. Races of the Roman style were introduced to Caesarea only early in the 2nd century CE. The sources of architectural inspiration on the Herodian entertainment structures in the Hellenistic and Roman world, and their role in the later evolution of the theatre and hippo-stadium in our region are also discussed.