Page 105 - A Walk to Caesarea / Joseph Patrich

A Walk to Caesarea: A Historical-Archaeological Perspective 91

right foot of a hunter. This layer belongs to a late phase, Fig. 90
in which the hippodrome was already shortened (see Reconstruction of a protective
below). In another layer of plaster, preserved in the net for the spectators against
rounded section, are frescoes imitating a revetment in beasts of prey
marble slabs and geometric patterns. On the top of the
entire length of the podium wall, at intervals of about Fig. 91
0.8 m, round depressions were cut, as were holes at the Remains of the far turning
edges of the seats of the first two rows. These holes post (meta prima) of the
were used to support the net used to protect spectators hippo-stadium
against wild animals (Fig. 90). These attest to such
Roman spectacles being held in the arena even prior
to its contraction.

The limited width of the arena, only c. 50 m, the format of the races, and the
holding of athletic events, gladiatorial combats, and hunting spectacles, did not
enable the erection of a monumental barrier in the middle of the arena, along its
length. No remains attesting the existence of such a continuous barrier were found,
in the form of a series of long basins standing out above the surface of the arena,
or bases of different monuments, around which the laps of the races took place, as
those found in the Roman circus in the eastern part of the city. During the races, a
temporary barrier was stretched between the two endpoints of the circuit, which was
apparently supported by wooden pillars that could be removed. An underground
tunnel passed beneath the arena, delineated by two subterranean parallel walls; it
was used for drainage and for various operations. Remnants of the far turning post
(meta prima) were preserved at the southern end of the arena, c. 25 m to the north
of the southern gate. Four archeological phases were discerned there (Fig. 91).