Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., February 22, 2009 Shvat 28, 5769 | | Israel Time: 05:10 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 23:29 16/02/2009
Maccabee-era relics found near Jerusalem shed light on ancient Jewish warriors
By Haaretz Service
Tags: Israel news, archaeology 

Three fragments of a Greek inscription, believed to be part of the "Heliodoros stele" were recently found at an Israel Antiquities Authority excavation at the National Park of Beit Guvrin.

The Heliodoros stele, dating back to 178 B.C.E. and consisting of 23 lines inscribed in limestone, is considered one of the most important ancient inscriptions found in Israel.

Dr. Dov Gera, who studied the inscriptions, determined that the fragments were actually the lower portion of "The Heliodoros stele". This discovery confirmed the assumption that the stele originally stood in one of the temples located where Maresha- Beit Guvrin National Park stands today.
Advertisement
The new fragments were discovered in a subterranean complex by participants in the Archaeological Seminars Institute's "Dig for a Day" program.


As published by Professors Cotton and Wörrle in 2007, this royal stone stele bears a proclamation by the Seleucid king, Seleucus IV (father of Antiochus IV). The contents of the stele shed light on the Seleucid government's involvement in local temples, mentioning an individual named Olympiodoros, the appointed "overseer" of the temples in Coele Syria - Phoenicia, including Judea.

The order of the king was sent to Heliodorus, who was probably the same person mentioned in the book of II Maccabees. According to the story in Maccabees, Heliodorus, as the representative of King Seleucus IV, tried to steal money from the Temple in Jerusalem but instead was severely beaten as a result of divine intervention.

Three years later, Seleucus IV was assassinated and was succeeded by his son Antiochus IV, who was the ruler, who according to II Maccabees, eventually issued an edict of persecution against the Jewish people and desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem leading to the Maccabean Revolt.

In short, it can be determined that this royal stele originated in the city of Maresha, and adds important archaeological evidence and historical context to understanding the period leading up to the Maccabean Revolt, an event celebrated each year on the holiday of Hanukah.

Dr. Ian Stern, excavation director on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority adds, "this discovery is the fruit of a joint effort on the part of the Archaeological Seminars Instititute's 'Dig for a Day' program, the Israel Antiquities Authority and the staff of the of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority in the National Park of Beit Guvrin."

Related articles:
  • J'lem Dig turns up gold coins from end of Second Temple period
  • Have Israeli archaeologists found world's oldest Hebrew inscription?
  • Archaeologists in Jerusalem unearth figurine from time of emperor Hadrian
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    North under fire
    Hezbollah denies firing Katyusha into north Israel.
    Drama in Dubai
    Venus Williams hails 'brave' Peer after winning Dubai tourney.
      1.   Do the fragments mention the Palestinians? 14:19  |  PETER SM 16/02/09
      2.   PETER SM AND PALESTINE 15:59  |  Brant 16/02/09
      3.   Palestinian population originates from outside land of Israel 17:48  |  Haldrik 16/02/09
      4.   Palestine named under Hadrian 19:38  |  Sam 16/02/09
      5.   Helios 20:48  |  rigma 16/02/09
      6.   God is pointing to Daniyal! 20:50  |  rigma 16/02/09
      7.   Sam - Thankyou 20:58  |  Shoshanna 16/02/09
      8.   Helios doro 21:01  |  rigma 16/02/09
      9.   #1 Peter: De-Judaizing Judea 21:28  |  Yitzhak 16/02/09
      10.   #9 Misr, Masr 23:42  |  observer 16/02/09
      11.   YItzhak.You have misread my post.The point is there is NO 01:44  |  PETER SM 17/02/09
      12.   Not True Jews were Invented in 1964 10:53  |  Baruch Gold 17/02/09
      13.   # 3 haldrik 12:07  |  Axel 17/02/09
      14.   shoddy journalism 18:07  |  a professional 18/02/09
      15.   Yitzhak 13:10  |  The Teacher/Instruct 19/02/09
      16.   SAM (#4) & There wasn`t an Israel, REALLY 17:08  |  Gil 19/02/09
      17.   SAM (#4) & There wasn`t an Israel, REALLY 20:40  |  Gil 19/02/09
      18.   SAM (#4) & There wasn`t an Israel, REALLY 21:58  |  Gil 19/02/09
      19.   peter sm 1 01:51  |  potobac 22/02/09
     Haaretz Hot Topics
    Israel 2009 election results: Voter breakdown
    Israel goes to the polls
    Conflict in Gaza
    Israel vs. Hamas
    Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
    More Headlines
    02:53 Sources: Netanyahu to offer Livni 'full partnership' in gov't
    03:39 Yossi Sarid / Don't be fooled, Kadima-Likud union a matter of time
    01:30 France to send top envoy to Iran for talks on nuclear program
    03:07 Animated Lebanon War flick 'Waltz with Bashir' looks to clinch Israel's first Oscar
    03:49 Will the Fatah-Hamas schism sabotage the rebuilding of Gaza?
    03:27 Ex-spymaster: Despite Sabra and Chatila, first Lebanon War was a Mossad success
    04:09 German politicians, Jewish leaders slam Schroeder for meeting Ahmadinejad
    04:28 Dutch Jews slam Christian 'peace by conversion' group
    23:10 Qassam rocket hits near Ashkelon; no casualties
    21:56 Arab states to probe Gaza war crimes allegations
    19:28 Durban II drafts: Israel is racist, occupying state
    21:48 Diplomats: U.S. backs Fatah-Hamas reconciliation talks
    22:47 Senator Kerry: Syria willing to help achieve Palestinian unity
    16:02 Hezbollah denies firing Katyusha into north Israel
    22:29 Venus Williams hails 'brave' Peer after winning UAE tourney
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Spring Specials-Dan Hotels
    Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Passover Vacations
    The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results
    Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved