Archaeology
Kedesh-NaphtaliQedesh, Cadasa, Kedasa, KedeshPlace descriptionKedasa was known as a pagan site as early as the Hellenistic period, since it was named as a camp for the Seleucid forces in their battle against Jonathan (Antiquities 13.154). Josephus mentioned it twice as “Kedasa of the Tyrians,” emphasizing that it was outside Jewish territory (War 2.459; 4.105). The site is located close to the border with Lebanon overlooking the Huleh Valley.<br>Although the city itself has only recently begun to be excavated, a nearby Late Roman period temple was excavated (Fischer, Ovadiah and Roll 1982; Aviam 2000a), as well as two Late Roman period mausolea (Conder & Kitchener 1881:226-30) and two sculptures of human heads, one of which was probably a sculptural tomb stone. Five Greek inscriptions were found at the site of the Roman period temple, some of which were dated according to the Tyrian era, others of which carried pagan symbols (Fischer, Ovadiah and Roll 1982). Some architectural features of the temple showed Tyrian or Greek influence (Aviam 2000a), particularly the hypaethral cella, the raised central doorway, and some of the decorative motifs on the architraves, all reminiscent of the Temple of Apollo at Didyma (Miletus). The Roman period town may have been smaller than the Hellenistic city, since Josephus describes it as “a strong inland village of the Tyrians.” |