Archaeology
PyreneesPlace descriptionPtolemais, the largest city on the northern coast of the land of Israel between Caesarea and Tyre, stretched between the ancient Tell (probably used as the acropolis) on the east and the sea on the west. Its southern border was the small river Beleus (modern Nahal Na’aman) and the unidentified monument of Memnon (War 2.188). Historical sources and archaeological finds point to a large pagan city during the Hellenistic and the Roman periods. Most of the archaeological information about the city derives from the its Hellenistic levels, though it is clear that it was still important culturally and economically during the Early-Roman period, as shown by the large number of coins minted in the city during the first and second centuries (Meshorer 1984). Regrettably, very few of the Roman period structures escaped the destruction that occurred during the massive building operation of the Crusaders. The following finds are significant for understanding Josephus’s city.<br>Tombs. Two Hellenistic tombstones with Greek inscriptions were found in the city, as well as a mausoleum and built tombs dated to the first century CE (Tzaferis 1986).<br>Statues. A Hellenistic marble statue of a priest (Aviam 2000e), and a few fragments of Roman period marble statues were found. Recently, a marble architectural fragment with two masks and emblems of Dionysos was uncovered in the city; it probably originated in a pagan Roman public building.<br>Inscriptions A Hellenistic Greek inscription was found in the excavation of a suggested temple (Appelbaum 1986). A small marble altar dedicated to the Capitoline Triad found elsewhere in the Galilee probably originated in Ptolemais (disegni 1990: 385-87). Another inscription dedicated to Hadad and Atargatis was found at nearby Kefar Yasif; it too probably originated from Acco (Avi-Yonah 1959).<br>Coins. Ptolemais minted its own silver and bronze coins in the Hellenistic period, and during the Roman period the city continued to mint bronze coins, all depicting pagan symbols. Very few Jewish Hasmonean coins were found among the thousands of coins unearthed in the city, pointing to low numbers of people in the Jewish community. When the Revolt broke out, the Roman legions gathered near the city (probably camped on the “plain of Ptolemais”) and the city minted a coin commemorating the event. The Emperor Nero is on the obverse, while the reverse has a bull with four standards with the emblems of four legions. |