Click on image to open full size in new window.
|
|
Title / Description: Pagan Medicinal Baths under later Church
Location / Provenance: Jerusalem, Israel
Date: 150 BCE -
Object Type: image - architecture
Commentary: Between 150 BCE and 70 CE, a popular healing center was located in this area. "there is a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda... In these lay many invalids: blind, lame and paralyzed." (John 5:2-3) The baths, grottos and a water cistern were arranged for medicinal and religious purposes. After bathing, patients could sleep in a grotto. "Priests" were available to interpret dreams as part of the healing ritual.
Within this socio-religious climate, Jesus cured a man here without the aid of the water. (John 5:5-9)
Between 200 - 400 CE, the temple to one of the healing gods Asclepius or Serapis was built. Votive offerings and coins from this time have been found in excavations.
A Byzantine basilica was built during the Patriarchate of Juvenal (422-458), covering over the pagan basins.
Source: Lori Anne Schneider Schaffer image collection.
|
