Page 142 - A Walk to Caesarea / Joseph Patrich

128 Archaeological Review

CAESAREA MARITIMA a Fig. 146a–b

Medieval Structures in Areas TP, Z, and I a. Plan of the remains of the
(End of 2002 season) octagonal church and the
surrounding compound,
Decumanus maximus which was built on the
site of the Herodian
Area 1 temple

b. Proposed reconstruction
of the octagonal church
built on the site of the
Herodian temple

Quay Area TP

Cistern b
Cistern
Church

Bath house

Area Z

Decumanus S1

0 10 20 30 40 50 m
Excavated wall Cardo W1
Projected wall Cardo maximus
N Underground

surrounded by holes of various diameters, some of which presumably served for
inserting poles that could hold standards, banners and torches. A second staircase,
of simple stairs, c. 6 m wide, led up to the temple precinct from the south.

Four elongated barrel vaults, 21 x 5.5 m in dimensions, were built on either side
of the shorter Herodian vaults. A plastered upper courtyard extended in front of
the temple. It is still to be determined what structures where framing this courtyard,
and when were they built.

In the mid-fourth century, with the spread of Christianity and the oppression of
paganism, the temple was no longer used and its stones were slowly looted for other
building projects, so all that remained were walls of the foundation level; even its
floor disappeared. In c. 500 an octagonal church enclosed by a square was erected on
the ravaged site (Fig. 146a–b). Perhaps it was dedicated to Procopius of Scythopolis,
who was the first martyr put to death in Caesarea during the persecutions of
Diocletian or, following a different opinion, to the Apostle Philip. This may also
have been the church of Mary Theotokos, like the octagonal church on Mount
Gerizim, that over the Tomb of Mary in the Jehoshaphat Valley in Jerusalem, and
the “Kathisma” Church at the roadside on the way from Jerusalem to Bethlehem
(built on the spot where Mary rested on her way to Bethlehem), all of which were
dedicated to Mary Mother of God (Theotokos). Clearly discernible in the area are