Page 102 - A Walk to Caesarea / Joseph Patrich
P. 102
88 Archaeological Review
Hippo-Stadium – a Multi-Purpose Entertainment Structure
(Figs. 86a–b)
Fig. 86a–b A Herodian installation, called “amphitheater” by Flavius Josephus, served as the
main arena for the competitions held by Herod in Caesarea at the time of the
a. The hippo-stadium – a festivities for the inauguration of the city, which went on for 15 days in September
multipurpose entertainment in 9 BCE. These games were described in detail by Josephus (see above, p. 14).
structure, aerial photo from Elsewhere, when referring to the time of governor Pontius Pilate, he speaks of a
the south “large stadium” that is near his palace, which almost certainly means the hippo-
stadium we are discussing. The installation was adapted for chariot and horse races
b. Proposed reconstruction of (hippika), for athletic contests (gymnika), gladitorial combats (munera), and hunting
the hippo-stadium during performances (venationes). It was used, therefore, both as a hippodrome and as a
the Herodian period, aerial stadium, hence the use of the compound term hippo-stadium to describe such an
view from the south entertainment structure.
Athletic events continued to form an element in the periodic games held
in Caesarea in the second and third centuries as well, many years after Herod’s
time. They were known as “Actian games” and attracted highly regarded athletes.
Caesarea’s stadium is even mentioned in the early fourth century by Eusebius,
bishop of Caesarea. In 303 celebrations were held there, as they were throughout the
empire, marking the twentieth anniversary of Diocletian’s rule. Christian martyrs
ab
