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The Convent of the Sisters of Zion covers the remains of a Roman pavement. It’s called Lithostrotos [pronounced: lith-os'-tro-tos] and is made of large flagstones that were specially etched to prevent horses from slipping.
Archaeologists are not sure if it dates back to Hadrian and was part of the forum of the Aelia Capitolina [Hadrian’s renaming of Jerusalem in the 2nd century] or if it was part of the Antonia Fortress, which was built by Herod the Great and named after his benefactor, Mark Anthony.
Regardless, the pavement is significant in that there are markings on the floor, probably made by Roman legionnaires, for playing games such as the “Basilicus” or “Game of the King.”
Regardless, the pavement is significant in that there are markings on the floor, probably made by Roman legionnaires, for playing games such as the “Basilicus” or “Game of the King.”
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If the Lithostrotos is part of the Antonia Fortress, then it was here that Pilate brought Jesus to stand before the people and announced, “Ecce Homo!” — “Behold the man!” [John 19:5]
One more thing that I find interesting is that beneath the Lithostrotos is a subterranean cistern for water collection. And if the Lithostrotos is at the Antonia Fortress, then the cistern is probably the Struthion Pool described by Josephus as the water supply for the Roman army stationed at the Fortress.
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