North to Bet She’an, Gideon Springs, Tel Megiddo and Nazareth
We check out and leave early and go up to the Mount of Olives (where Jesus prayed and agonized before his trial and death) and had one last look at the old city, now with so many more memories
Old_city_from_Mount of Olives
We motor up, through West bank Palestinian territory (the Israeli highway runs right through), to Bet She’an - Scythopolis- with the imposing Tel (hill) She’an) in the background, one of the oldest cities in recorded history dating back to 4000 BC. It was a Cannaanite city, taken by King David, conquered by Assryians, Greeks, Romans, Crusaders and finally the Turks. Most important cities in this country seem to have gone through a succession of rulers. The city has been extensively excavated and during the Roman era was grand - see the model. The Tel - hill is closest and we entered through the furtherest gates
Beth_She’an_model
The ground excavated city is equally impressive - the hill is behind in this picture
Beth_She’an_site
Here is a closer look with Ellen on the main Pallidius or street
Ellen_Bet_She’an_cardo
There is a well preserved theatre: hot and cold baths - unlike the English, the Romans loved to bathe in hot and cold water; and splendid stone carvings. In Roman times it was one of the decapolis (ten major cities) - the only one on the West Bank.
We continue up to the Gideon Springs (Judges Ch7) a beautiful spot nestled at the foot of Mount Bilboa, seat of Harod (1200BC)
Gideon_Springs
We now go up to Tel Megiddo another city dating back to 5000 BC, with 25 stratas of excavation, and going beyond the Cananites (2500BC), with the remnant of a main gate still standing, to primitive neolithic cults. The city was rebuilt by Solomon in 950BC as one of his main administrative centers, covering the northern region of Judea. Among its highlights is an amazing water reservoir, that can be accessed through a series of deep tunnels within the city
Tel_Megiddo_ancient_gates
Tel Megiddo is reputed to be the cradle of all biblical archaeology, and the University of Chicago uncovered 30 settlements, from Neolithic times, thru the Persians. In the site there is a sacred stone circle, going back to 2500BC. I let the group move on and sit at the site for a few minutes, in absolute silence, trying to feel the prayers or incantations from many millenniums ago. Very strange experience
Sacred_Stone_circle_2500BC_Megiddo
We drive up to Nazareth where we overlook the whole city - the Muslims on the upper parts and the Christians on the lower parts. I am very disappointed - my first - in not being able to see the Church of the Ascension, where Mary ascended into heaven. Instead we peer at the city against the setting sun.
We end the day driving into Tiberias, on the sea of Galilee, where we will stay for the next three days. It is absolutely calm, without a ruffle - almost as though ordinary mortals can walk on it. From our hotel balcony we look out on this large sea, where so much of Jesus’ ministry is recorded
Sea_of_Galilee
