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The entrance to the Sepphoris Valley (Nahal Zippori) is 3 km south-east of Kiryat Atta, or 4km south of Somech Junction.

 

 











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                 SEPPHORIS

The town of  Sepphoris  is not named in the Bible, but it was a major town close to Nazareth, and it is possible that Joseph  (a builder rather than a carpenter) and Jesus may have found work there. They may have helped with its re-construction (it took many years)  when it was destroyed after the death of Herod the Great in 4BC. 

See Women in the Bible: Mary of Nazareth

Sepphoris: the Mona Lisa of Sepphoris, mosaic in situ, viewed from above


Above and below: Two of the extraordinary 1st century AD mosaics that have been excavated at Sepphoris. The woman in the upper mosaic has been dubbed 'the Mosa Lisa of Sepphoris'

Sepphoris, mosaic of a human face

Sepphoris and all Galilee were ruled by Rome at that time, and it was a busy administrative center for the area. There were certainly a number of Roman officials and soldiers quartered in the city. 

When Herod Antipas took over, he decided to rebuild the city as a showcase of Greek architecture and culture - not a popular move with devout Jews who were clinging tenaciously to their Jewish culture.

 

Sepphoris: ancient street and pavement in the town of Sepphoris

Excavated streets in Sepphoris; Joseph and the young Jesus, from nearby Nazareth, 
may have worked here as builders
Sepphoris: the Greek-style theater

The Greek-style theater at Sepphoris. The front seats and stage have been reconstructed 
so that performances can be put on, much as they were in the time of Herod Antipas - and Jesus
Sepphoris: aerial view of the excavations

Aerial view of Sepphoris

Flavius Josephus described the rebuilt Sepphoris as the "ornament of all Galilee," which suggests that this small city was beautifully designed. Josephus also claims that Sepphoris was the "strongest city in Galilee".

Excavations in Sepphoris confirm this praise. Sepphoris had the best of Roman design:

  • streets laid out on a grid and streets paved with crushed limestone. 

  • a Roman theater partially cut into the hillside; in the afternoons and evenings the people of Sepphoris went to the theatre for entertainment, probably mimes, light comedy, or music. 

  • houses and the elegant mansions of the wealthy grouped around public buildings.

 

See other fascinating links between 
Archaeology and the Bible

  

 

 

 

 

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