Archaeology
AfekAphek, Mejdel Yaba, Afeq, Antipatris, Aphek TurrisPlace descriptionAntipatris was founded on the site of biblical Aphek and Hellenistic Pegae (Kochavi
1992). The name Pegae (“springs”) is mentioned in the third century BCE Zenon Papyri,
which indicate the importance of Pegae’s strategic location on the border between Judea,
Samaria, and the coastal plain. It is mentioned alongside Gazara and Joppa in Josephus’
description of the conflict between John Hyrcanus I and Antiochus Sidetes (Ant. 13.261).
Pegae also appears in rabbinic literature (t. Kil. 2:12 [Zuckermandel 760]; t. Ter. 1:15
[Zuckermandel 26]; Frankel and Kochavi 2000: 28). A. Alt and W. Albright identified
Pegae and Aphek with Tell Ras el-‘Ain, near the Arab village of Fejja. The name
Antipatris was preserved in the Arabic name Abu Butrus, the Ottoman fortress on the
tell. Limited archaeological excavations were carried out at Antipatris in the 1930s and
early 1960s. Comprehensive excavations were carried out between 1972 and 1985 (Institute
of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University, with various institutes from abroad, led by
Perahiah Beck and Moshe Kochavi; see Beck and Kochavi 1993). Hellenistic remains of a
small city were uncovered, planned according to Hippodamian principles. By the second
century BCE a fortress was built there, whose remains were uncovered on the western side
of the tell, perhaps part of the “Janneus line” along the Yarkon River built in 86 BCE
(War 1.99, Ant 13.390). These remains support the accepted conjecture that Hellenistic
Pegae was located on the tell near the springs and not in the modern village Fejja.
Josephus says Antipatris was founded by Herod in 9 BCE: “After these celebrations and
festivals Herod erected another city in the plain of Capharsaba, as it is called, where
he selected a site that was well watered and a region excellent for plants. There was
also a river flowing round the city itself, and the grove that surrounded it was most
beautiful because of the size of its trees. This city he called Antipatris after his
father Antipater” (Ant. 16.142-43; War 1.417). Today the prevailing opinion is that
Antipatris was built on the site of Hellenistic Pegae (Schürer-Vermes 2.167; Frankel and
Kochavi 2000: 11). Most of the Herodian remains were found in the northern part of the
tell. The monumentally paved cardo, with stores along one side, bisected the city from
north to south (Beck and Kochavi 1993). When Claudius Lysias sent Paul from Jerusalem to
the governor Felix in Caesarea under armed guard, they spent the night in Antipatris. In
the morning Paul continued to Caesarea without the soldiers (Acts 23:22-33). This
description implies a contrast between dense Jewish population in the hills, hostile to
Paul and the Romans, and a relatively sparse Jewish population on the coastal plain.
Antipatris’ strategic importance emerges from various descriptions of the first revolt.
In 66 CE Cestius Gallus entered Antipatris, whereas the rebels took refuge in Migdal
Aphek (Mejdel Yaba; Kochavi and Beit-Aryeh 1994: 47*), east of Antipatris (War 2.513).
With the failure of Cestius’ campaign the rebels pursued his troops to Antipatris (War
2.554). Antipatris was loyal to Rome, whereas the Jews in the hills east of the city
joined the rebels (Kochavi and Beit-Aryeh 1994, 10*). Vespasian invaded Judea a year
later, and was delayed for two days by rioters in Antipatris; only on the third day was
he able to proceed after torching nearby places (War 4.443). A destruction layer in the
commercial area of Antipatris dating to the revolt indicated that the rebels attacked
Antipatris. Several coins from years one and two of the revolt were found, alongside
several stone vessels indicative of a Jewish presence in the late Second-Temple Period.
Archaeological finds indicate that Antipatris declined during the first revolt. The city
recovered gradually, flourishing from the late second century on, particularly during
the third and fourth centuries, when the city spread to the southern part of the tell,
where an odeon, forum, and elaborate houses were constructed. The same period saw the
realization of the system of roads around Antipatris. Severely damaged in the earthquake
of 363 CE, Antipatris recovered only partially (Beck and Kochavi 1993). Antipatris
appears several times in Talmudic traditions: it was on the edge of Jewish settlement in
Judea (m. Git. 7:7) with a Samaritan presence in the generation of Yavneh (t. Dem.
1:11). A scholion to Megillat Taanit pinpoints Antipatris’ location between Samaria and
Judea during the time of Alexander the Great, though its historicity is uncertain (see
Reeg 1989: 49-51). |