Page 162 - A Walk to Caesarea / Joseph Patrich
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148 Archaeological Review b
a
Fig. 167a–b (Fig. 167a). At the foot of the steps, incorporated in a mosaic floor within a tabula
ansata, is a Greek inscription telling of the erection of the arch that was supported
a. The northern section of the by the pair of columns, the wall delimiting the lower esplanade on the west, and
mosaic-paved “Byzantine the grades by Flavius Strategius, who was known as the first among the citizens –
Esplanade”, view to the south head of the city council, and entitled “father of the city” – (Fig. 167b). The
construction, for the welfare of the city and using its funds, was carried out with
b. Stairway leading from the lower the permission of the provincial governor (with the rank of proconsul), Flavius
level to the high (northern) level Entolius. The inscription is dated from 546 to 606 CE.
and the inscription at its foot,
view to the north Another Greek inscription, incised on a gray marble pillar found not far away
to the north (today in the Sdot Yam museum, see below), speaks of the renewal of
a complex carried out during the time of the governor (with the rank of consul)
Flavius Elpidius, by Elias, “father of the city.” The parts of the complex mentioned
are a basilica, marble revetment, mosaic work, and the grades of the Hadrianeum.
This basilica and Hadrianeum were probably close to the “Byzantine Esplanade,”
to the north, where the inscription was found. The inscription is dated between
the mid-fifth century to the beginning of the sixth. The grades (anabathra/bathmoi
in the two Greek inscriptions), are to be interpreted as an architectural complex
for free distribution of bread (annonae populares/pane gradili), for a privileged sector
of the citizens in Late Antique Caesarea Maritima. Such an architectural complex
was known in Late Antiquity in Latin as gradus – grades.
It may be that initially the purple granite statue identified as a statue of
Hadrian was placed within a complex labeled Hadrianeum that was constructed
in connection with the emperor’s visit to the city in 129/30 CE and was used for
his cult. In the Byzantine period, after this cult ceased and the statue was damaged,
it was removed and placed in the esplanade, as a decoration. The complex was
certainly used now for a different purpose, probably civil and not religious, but
its name – Hadrianeum – was maintained. The white marble statue was clearly
brought to the esplanade from a different temple, perhaps that of Augustus.
