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Roman Theater in Caesarea
Of the many cities historically associated with ancient Palestine (modern day Israel), Caesarea is, along with Jerusalem, perhaps the most magnificent. Once known as the City of Herod, the town served as the Roman capital of the province of Judea for over 500 years, as well as a prominent Crusader port town. Throughout its history, its changes of names and rulers, Caesarea remained known for the splendor of its architecture. Much of the city’s architectural wonders have been associated with Herod the Great emperor of Judea during the reign of the Roman Empire.
Roman Theater - An Architectural Masterpiece
Built in the 1 st century BC and carrying its builder’s namesake, the Roman (Herodian) Theater in Caesaera was conceived by Herod the Great in an effort to maintain his reputation as a great patron of the arts. Having already established the city of Caesarea as the flagship city of his kingdom—a city which already had a reputation for being a thriving metropolis—it was only fitting to situate the impressive theatre in this bustling town overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
And so perched on a rolling hill, slightly higher than its surrounding buildings, the Roman Theater was build directly facing Herod’s palace. Though the Emperor had a place of honor in the arena, luxuriously segregated from the ordinary viewers, he could potentially choose to separate himself even further—watching the events from the privacy of his own palace.
Today in 2008, as much as in the 1 st century AD, the Herodian palace remains a striking feature of Caesarea and a must see site when on a tour to Israel.
Roman Theater - Construction and Preservation
With two seating areas and a capacity to hold up to 4,000 spectators, a backstage area for performers, an orchestra den and lavish “sky boxes” (seating areas located high above the stage) for important guests, the theater remains the biggest and most ancient auditorium in Israel.
But it is not only the theater’s outstanding proportions that have set it apart from other, smaller, theaters built on Israeli land throughout the centuries, if not also its sturdiness and its preservation over time. Indeed, after the reign of Herod the Great over Palestine, the Roman Theater continued to function as a social gather place during the time of the Crusaders as well as the days of the Ottoman (Muslim) Empire. To this day, it is one of Israel’s most attractive and coveted performance sights, with many of Israeli and international artists performing here during the summer months.
In an effort to preserve the theater’s Hellenistic features, the city of Caesarea along with the Israeli Foundation for Archeological Preservation, have made a conscious choice not to change any of the theater’s original features. The ancient stone benches remain the theater’s primary seating option, with many viewers bringing their own cushions when coming to see a show. However uncomfortable, once visitors on an Israel tour observe the splendor of this ancient wonder, they become appreciative of the conservation efforts.
Roman Theater - Tribute to Pontius Pilate
During archeological diggings in Caesarea in the early 1960s, a stone slate was uncovered in close proximity to the theater, carrying the phrase: “Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea, gave and dedicated a temple of Tiberias”.
While much of the sentence remains incomprehensible and probably relates to events that transpired at the time, the name Pontius Pilate is quite clear. Pontius Pilate was a military officer in the Roman army who, in the year 26 AD, was appointed governor of Judea by Tiberius the Emperor.
Though the original slate was taken to the Israel Museum in Jerusalem for safe keeping, a replica of the stone slate unearthed in 1961 remains on display in Caesarea for the benefit of tourists.
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