A throne hall of Herod where Salome danced discovered in Jordan

Ruins of the fortress of Machaerus. Photo: haaretz.com

In Jordan, near the Dead Sea, archaeologists found the throne hall of King Herod, in which Princess Salome is thought to have danced before demanding that the head of John the Baptist be brought to her on a platter. This was reported by Haaretz.

The throne hall, where Salome is believed to have danced before King Herod Antipas, was discovered in the vicinity of the Dead Sea, in the fortress situated on Mount Machaerus in Jordan.

Archaeologists are currently engaged in a partial reconstruction of the royal throne inside the palace, which had been built by Herod Antipas’ father – Herod the Great.

The fortress of Machaerus was built more than 2,000 years ago, 32 kilometers southwest of Madaba, on a cliff overlooking the Dead Sea, and on clear days even the Temple in Jerusalem. Rabbinic writings report that the smoke of sacrifices rising from the altars of the Temple in Jerusalem could be seen throughout Mount Machaerus (Mishnah 3, Tamid 3:8).

Inside the royal courtyard, which covers 7,000 square feet, archaeologists discovered a semicircular niche where they believe the throne once stood. The original floor level has not survived to this day. However, archaeologists are convinced that the throne was placed on a raised platform, reached by a staircase.

In addition, specialists have restored two columns that once supported the roof of the hall. Archaeologists suggest that it was precisely here that Princess Salome danced at the birthday banquet of Herod Antipas.

The true history of the Herodian dynasty is lost, but the Jewish historian Josephus Flavius recounts that the Hasmonean king Alexander appointed Antipas as ruler of Edom, who became the founder of the dynasty. His descendant Herod Antipas is known for imprisoning John the Baptist in the fortress of Machaerus and later condemning him to death (Mark 6:17–29).

Earlier, the UOJ reported that archaeologists in Israel had discovered a 2,000-year-old pool for ritual ablutions.

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