About twenty years ago, in the valley at the foot of Tel Megiddo hill, where the biblical battle took place, Remains of Roman buildings found. But it was only in 2010 that archaeologists received permission to conduct a full-scale excavation, which led to the 2013 discovery of a Roman legionnaire’s camp.

Historical sources mention two such camps in Roman Judea.

• One of them was home to the X Straits Protection Legion (Legio X Fretensis Antoniniana Pia Fidelis) in Jerusalem.
• The other is in the beginning of II. It was occupied by soldiers of the Fearless Legion of Trajan (Legio II Traiana Fortis) and later of the VI Iron Legion (Legio VI Ferrata). It is noteworthy that the camp in Jerusalem was found by this time.

A little about the complex

Built in the 2nd century AD, the military complex at Tel Megiddo follows the traditional Roman architectural model. The camp, surrounded by walls that formed a rectangle measuring 500 x 400 meters (equivalent to 20 hectares), probably housed about five thousand legionnaires. The central coordination center was the principia, which simultaneously served as the camp’s headquarters and temple (sacellum).

Excavations of the temple in the central part of the camp / Photo: Dr. Yotam Tepper

Recent efforts in archeology, principle excavationsespecially in the temple. It is believed that this temple was dedicated to the emperor Hadrian, who initiated the establishment of a military base in Tel Megiddo. During this season’s excavations at the temple, an ivory statue fragment with three toes believed to be related to the cult of the emperor Hadrian was found.

However, the most important development this season came from outside the camp. archaeologists GPR used for the first time to survey the land around the camp ruins. Ground-penetrating radar data made it possible to detect a similar underground structure amphitheatreAnd a big cemetery. According to ground-penetrating radar data, excavations focused on these newly discovered areas.

What is characteristic of these findings?

Amphitheaters are very rare in the immediate vicinity of the military camps, since they were mostly built on the Roman model in the conquered cities. II of the amphitheater. and VI. The presence of the legions near their camp is particularly notable due to its unusual placement. Known for its role in the biblical “war at the end of the world”, the ancient city of Megiddo was already in disrepair at the time of its construction.

Excavations at the amphitheater / Photograph: Dr. Yotam Tepper

Interestingly, the amphitheater was probably not intended for public entertainment. Instead he served training ground for legionnairesallows them to hone their combat skills and master the use of weapons and armor. Although its original purpose was functional, archaeological evidence suggests that later events took place in the arena. ritual theater performances.

Both II. These finds are of great historical importance, as both the Fearless Legion of Trajan and the VI Iron Legion played an important role in maintaining order in the province and played an active role in suppressing the Bar Kokhba revolt in AD 132-136. This newly discovered arena deepens our understanding of how Roman legionnaires trained and commemorated their fallen comrades in the heart of a historic battlefield.