Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 11-22-2008, 01:14 PM

Tomb of King Herod's wife unearthed, Israeli archaeologist says

Quote:

...

Netzer showed reporters portions of two limestone sarcophagi he said had contained remains of one of Herod's wives, Malthace, and a daughter-in-law.

He said the findings supported his claims that a sarcophagus he found at the site in 2007 had been Herod's tomb. Some experts said then that the evidence seemed inconclusive.

Based on the additional sarcophagi he has found, and despite the absence of any inscriptions or documentation by the ancient Jewish historian Josephus Flavius, Netzer said: "I would eat my hat if it were someone else's tomb."

Earlier article on Herod's tomb

Quote:

King Herod may have been buried in a crypt with lavish Roman-style wall paintings of a kind previously unseen in the Middle East, Israeli archaeologists said Wednesday.

The scientists found such paintings and signs of a regal two-story mausoleum, bolstering their conviction that the ancient Jewish monarch was buried there.

. . .

Herod purportedly ordered the slaying of all children in his realm younger than 2. But historians are not convinced of the story's accuracy

Herod was reviled by Jewish nationalists as a Roman puppet, and they appear to have smashed his tomb.

Iskander · 11-23-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Tomb of King Herod's wife unearthed, Israeli archaeologist says

Quote:

...

Netzer showed reporters portions of two limestone sarcophagi he said had contained remains of one of Herod's wives, Malthace, and a daughter-in-law.

He said the findings supported his claims that a sarcophagus he found at the site in 2007 had been Herod's tomb. Some experts said then that the evidence seemed inconclusive.

Based on the additional sarcophagi he has found, and despite the absence of any inscriptions or documentation by the ancient Jewish historian Josephus Flavius, Netzer said: "I would eat my hat if it were someone else's tomb."

Earlier article on Herod's tomb

Quote:

King Herod may have been buried in a crypt with lavish Roman-style wall paintings of a kind previously unseen in the Middle East, Israeli archaeologists said Wednesday.

The scientists found such paintings and signs of a regal two-story mausoleum, bolstering their conviction that the ancient Jewish monarch was buried there.

. . .

Herod purportedly ordered the slaying of all children in his realm younger than 2. But historians are not convinced of the story's accuracy

Herod was reviled by Jewish nationalists as a Roman puppet, and they appear to have smashed his tomb.

I suppose nobody in Israel would consider holding a seance?

It is such a wonderful opportunity to directly question an eye witness of that period!

Anat · 11-23-2008, 10:45 PM

Yes, but most Israelis aren't that interested in Herod. The religious guys don't see him as a legitimate king (and they are only interested in the rabbis anyway) and the secular ones are only interested in the revolts. The right wing may want to resurrect Ben Yair or Bar Kokhba, the left may take Josephus. (The religious would want Yohanan Ben Zakai or Akiva, I suppose.)

Iskander · 11-24-2008, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anat

Yes, but most Israelis aren't that interested in Herod. The religious guys don't see him as a legitimate king (and they are only interested in the rabbis anyway) and the secular ones are only interested in the revolts. The right wing may want to resurrect Ben Yair or Bar Kokhba, the left may take Josephus. (The religious would want Yohanan Ben Zakai or Akiva, I suppose.)

The Israelites are sensible people. It is odd to seem obsessed about totally trivial matters.

Still, she may have lived through important events in the history of some people or, perhaps, she may not.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

11-23-2008, 10:45 PM	#3
Anat Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: home Posts: 3,715	Yes, but most Israelis aren't that interested in Herod. The religious guys don't see him as a legitimate king (and they are only interested in the rabbis anyway) and the secular ones are only interested in the revolts. The right wing may want to resurrect Ben Yair or Bar Kokhba, the left may take Josephus. (The religious would want Yohanan Ben Zakai or Akiva, I suppose.)

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.