Jerusalem in the Roman Period
Roman Arch
There are many Roman period remains in the city of Jerusalem which have survived to this day. Sometimes they are above ground and other times, hidden underneath it. An arch in the Old City of Jerusalem is known as Ecce Homo Arch (‘Behold the Man’ in Latin language). according to the New Testament, these were the words uttered by the Roman procurator when he presented Jesus to the people before being sentenced. This arch was built in the 2nd century CE during the time of Emperor Hadrian, as the entrance gate leading into the Roman Forum.
A well preserved section of the paved roman road/street is located in the Christian Quarter. These stones date from the 3rd or 4th century AD. Some parts of this street form the Via Dolorosa.
Cardo in Jerusalem
The Cardo has the earliest part is from the 2nd or 3rd century AD. Some parts of the Byzantine Cardo are from the 6th century AD. The central street of the Cardo is 40 feet (12 m) wide and is lined on both sides with columns. The Byzantine street is about 6 meters below the present street level, it was due to accumulation of the ground over the centuries. The Madaba Map is a map of the Middle East and part of it contains the oldest surviving part of Jerusalem.
The Burnt House
The Burnt House is located in the Old City and it lies 6 meter below the current street level. This house. is believed to have been set on fire during the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The excavation of the Burnt House found a small courtyard, four rooms, a kitchen and a ritual bath. It is suggested that this house belonged to a priestly family from the Second Temple Period.
When fire reached this house, its wooden ceiling collapsed thus trapping many valuable items inside which were preserved for centuries. Some of the items found in the Burnt House are; fragments of stone table, ceramic, stone and metal vessels, iron nails, inkwells, Roman-period oil lamps, jugs, bowls and measuring cups. There was a group of tourists was on the site. They were very noisy and disrespectful, I had to leave the room because they were constantly shouting.
