Roman Theater under Wilson's Arch
An unfinished 200-seat odeon built against the Western Wall after the Temple's fall
Found 2017 — Joe Uziel, Tehillah Lieberman and Avi Solomon (Israel Antiquities Authority)
Where Beneath Wilson's Arch, Western Wall Tunnels, Old City, Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) (Israel (Old City))
Dates from Begun early 2nd century CE, abandoned unfinished c. 132 CE · Roman (post-70 CE) · After the destruction of the Temple; the generation of the Bar Kokhba revolt
Now at In situ, Western Wall Tunnels (visitor route)
How Roman Theater under Wilson's Arch was found
During a dig beneath Wilson's Arch in the Western Wall Tunnels, meant to date the arch, the team reached eight unknown courses of the Herodian wall and, built against them, a small semicircular theater. Announced October 2017.
What it is
A semicircular stepped structure with an orchestra floor and seating for about 200, the size of a roofed odeon or council hall, set directly against the Western Wall of the Temple Mount under the span of Wilson's Arch. Several steps were left rough and the building was never completed. Eight lower courses of Herod's Western Wall were exposed in the same dig.
Why it matters for the Bible
Josephus and later writers mention Roman public buildings in Yerushalayim, but this is the first theater-type building ever found in the city. It shows Rome turning the ruined Temple precinct into a civic space, the world of Aelia Capitolina that grew after 70 CE. Its unfinished steps likely mark the outbreak of the Bar Kokhba revolt. For Bible readers it is also the spot where the newly exposed Herodian courses stand as Yeshua's disciples admired them.
The Hebrew word: har hah-BAH-yit
הַר הַבַּיִת
הַר הַבַּיִת is pronounced har hah-BAH-yit and means the Temple Mount (Strong's H2022 + H1004).
Places
- Temple Mount — הַר הַבַּיִת (har hah-BAH-yit) — mountain of the House
Events
Roman rebuilding of Jerusalem after 70 CE · Bar Kokhba revolt, 132–136 CE
Roman Theater under Wilson's Arch in Scripture
Genesis 22:2 One of only 2 verses that name Temple Mount (Moriah).
2 Chronicles 3:1 One of only 2 verses that name Temple Mount (Moriah).
Questions people ask
What is Roman Theater under Wilson's Arch?
A semicircular stepped structure with an orchestra floor and seating for about 200, the size of a roofed odeon or council hall, set directly against the Western Wall of the Temple Mount under the span of Wilson's Arch. Several steps were left rough and the building was never completed. Eight lower courses of Herod's Western Wall were exposed in the same dig.
When was Roman Theater under Wilson's Arch discovered?
It was found in 2017 by Joe Uziel, Tehillah Lieberman and Avi Solomon (Israel Antiquities Authority), at Beneath Wilson's Arch, Western Wall Tunnels, Old City, Yerushalayim (Jerusalem).
Where is Roman Theater under Wilson's Arch today?
In situ, Western Wall Tunnels (visitor route).
Which Bible verses does Roman Theater under Wilson's Arch relate to?
Genesis 22:2, 2 Chronicles 3:1.
Related discoveries
- הַר הַבַּיִתHerodian Western Wall and Temple Mount PlatformThe retaining walls of Herod's expanded Temple enclosure
- בֶּקַעThe 'Beka' Weight from the Western Wall FoundationsA First Temple-period stone weight inscribed with the biblical half-shekel unit, in mirror writing
- שֶׁקֶלThe Two-Shekel Weight from the Western Wall PlazaA First Temple-period limestone weight of exactly 23 grams with a clumsily copied shekel sign
- עַזָּהGaza: Anthedon (Blakhiyah) and the Roman NecropolisThe excavated harbor town north of Gaza and the 2022 cemetery with lead sarcophagi
- תָּלָהYehohanan's Crucified Heel BoneThe only physical remains of a Roman crucifixion victim from Judea, with the iron nail still in place
- לֹדLod (Lydda) MosaicA stunning Roman floor found under a street in the town where Peter healed Aeneas
Sources
- Biblical Archaeology Society, 'Ancient Roman Theater Exposed Under Jerusalem's Western Wall'
- Times of Israel, 'Massive section of Western Wall and Roman theater uncovered after 1,700 years' (Oct 2017)