Page 116 - A Walk to Caesarea / Joseph Patrich

102 Archaeological Review a
b
Fig. 111a–c
a. Proposed reconstruction

of the carceres complex,
Phase Ib. Five stalls on
each side of the central
opening. Wooden
partitions divide the stalls.
In their façade are two
stories of engaged half-
columns: Doric and above
it Ionic
b. Proposed reconstruction
of the carceres complex,
Phase II. Five arched stalls
on each side of the central
gate decorated with a
gable. The façade of the
pilasters dividing between
the stalls is embellished
by engaged columns with
Corinthian capitals
c. Proposed reconstruction
of the carceres complex,
Phase III. Four arched
stalls on each side of the
central gate. The façade of
the divisions between the
stalls is embellished by
engaged pilasters

c

5 stalls on each side of the central gate, while in Phase III there were 4 stalls on
each of its sides. (Figs. 110a–b; 111a–c).

Architecturally, the stalls can be divided into two types: those of Phase I are
of the “four-pier” stall type; while those of Phases II and III are of the “double-
pilaster” stall type. Distinction between the sub-phases depends upon the structure
and ornamentation of the piers, preserved up to 1–2 courses. The first phase
(Ia) was built by Herod. The following phases (Ib and Ic) show a tendency to
monumentalization, increasing from phase to phase. The stalls were 3.3–3.6 m wide
and their interior depth was 3.75–4 m. They were set parallel to each other and to
the long axis of the arena.

The arrangement of the stalls in Phase I indicates that the chariots started their
run in parallel lanes, as at Olympia (Fig. 112). The destination of the chariots was
the far turning post – the meta prima – and not the nearer post (meta secunda),
as common in the Roman circus system. Thus Herod instituted Greek-style races,