BET GUVRIN & A JEWISH GLADIATOR

Ancient Bet Guvrin is located in the Judean foothills & sits on an ancient highway that corresponds to present day road 35 that connects the southern coastal city of Ashkelon to Hebron. The site encompasses the remains of the ancient city of Tel Maresha, and covers an area of 5 000 dunams.(5 sq.kilometers). Also named Eleutheropolis during the Roman (63 B.C.E.– 324 C.E) & Byzantine (324 C.E.– 638 C.E) periods, the site has a turbulant & long history that began during the First Temple period (1010 B.C.E.– 586 B.C.E). Today it is home to many archaeological remains which include the following :

ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE : After the supression of Jewish revolt against Roman occupation, known as the Bar Kochba revolt. (132 C.E. – 135 C.E.), the amphitheatre was built in order to impose Roman culture on the local population of which a large percentage were Jews. In addition the amphitheatre provided entertainment for the Roman troops stationed in the area. The structure is made up of limestone & is elliptical in shape. The walled central arena also accomodates underground chambers which probably housed wild animals. The arena is surrounded by tiered seating which is supported from below by barrel vaults (deep arches) and could accommodate up to 3500 people.

To say that Jews did not line up on mass to become gladiators is an understatement. However, one such gladiator did exist. Shimon ben Lachish was such a Jew & lived during the 3rd century, A physically powerfull man, he was both the chief of a gang of robbers & a gladiator. Whether he fought in this particular amphitheatre is debatable, but gladiator he was. He did however reform his ways and later became a great Talmudic sage known as Reish Lahish.

A PERSONEL OBSERVATION : A later example of an uncommon Jewish profession was adopted by Daniel Mendoza. A British Jew born in London in 1764 & regarded as the father of pugilism. In addition, having been brought up in South Africa I was witness to the game of rugby, a game which in my opinion makes American football appear tame. Inevitably the national team included a Jew. I am not familiar with the world's sporting communities, but am confident that the lone Jew was & is forever present.

The rabbis opposed all public spectacles but had the strongest aversion to gladiatorial games. As a consequence, they ruled that Jews could not attend public spectacles except under the following circumstances. Firstly, should either a gladiator, slave or Jewish captive be in a position where his life was dependent on the " thumbs up or thumbs down" whim of the presiding Roman official, the spectators outcries for mercy might induce a "thumbs up" reaction. Secondly, a Jewish woman cannot remarry unless officialy divorced or her husband has died. Should her husband have been killed in the arena, Jewish law stipulates that two witnesses are required to confirm his death prior to her being able to remarry.

COLUMBARIUM : (200 B.C.E) which are nesting boxes for birds, in this case pigeons, who's droppings were used as fertilizer, & their flesh as food for both daily use and temple offerings.

SIDONIAN BURIAL CAVES : (3rd -1st B.C.E) rock cut caves with internally painted wall murals that served as burial chambers for the Greek, Sidonian & Edomite inhabitants of Bet Guvrin.

ST ANN'S CHURCH : A Byzantine church (324 C.E. – 640 C.E), that was later renovated by the Crusaders. (1099 C.E. – 1291 C.E).

OLIVE OIL PRESSES : The oil being used for cooking, fueling lamps, medicinal purposes & rituals, such as the anointing of royalty.

BELL CAVES : (4th – 9th century), These chalk caves had multiple uses but their product was used to create mortar and plaster for all types of building projects.

Ron Traub (Tour Guide & Architect). Website : rontraub-tours.com Photo's : Rimonah Traub.