Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1915-09-17


spanning one of the modern
and narrow streets of Jerusa-
lem, is nothing else than the
remaining part of an ancient
Roman triumphal arch of the we'll
known type. The room above it is of
course modern. In it's day it stood
across wide paved street; under it
ratified the Roman chariots, while the
smaller arches, one on each side, ac-
commodated the pedestrians, writes
John d. Whiting in the Christian Her
aid.
Adjoining the arch on the north is
part of the building belonging to the
Sisters of Zion, where, in all probable
ity, in the days of Jesus stood the
Pretorium, or Hall of Judgment"
where also the then Roman governor,
Pontius PLATE, lived. Almost directly
opposite we find a Turkish barracks,
being undoubtedly the site of the Cas-
tie of Antonio. This latter site was
originally a natural rocky spur, jut-
ting out into the northwestern corner
of the temple area.
Forty years ago the place where
the buildings of the Sisters of Zion
now stand, before alluded to, was
nothing more than a tumble-down
heap of ruins of late date and great
refuse heaps While preparing for the
construction of the present church and
schools, and the removal of the debris,
the northernmost of the two smaller
arches was found intact, adjoining the
large one. Several feet below the pres
ent street level an extensive pavement
made of large thick stone slabs well
laid was uncovered. Ten years later,
when digging through the street for
sewer, more of this pavement was
brought to light.
This latter has long since been COW
cred up, while that part within the
limits of the buildings occupied by the
Sisters of Zion is laid open to view. as
well as the northern portion of the
triumphal arch.
Let us examine this pavement. At
the outer edge we find the blocks
grooved, and we see that this was a
street pavement Intentionally rough
ened to keep the animals from slip
ping. We also observe that this part
is directly in line with the large cen
trail arch, while mex. to it and in line
with the small arch the blocks are
smooth and clearly only intended for
the use of pedestrians. 1t is only be-
cause the present street is so much
narrower than the ancient one that
we find some of the Roman street
pavement within the limits of the
present buildings. But the important
point is that this pavement is not con-
fined to a street and sidewalk, but ex-
tends far in, or about 100 feet in
width. It's entire length has as yet
not been aseertained by excavation.
On the smooth surface of these
stone slabs we see cut into them
Roman games. Two large stone
benches, something the shape of
pedestal, about four feet high, placed
on the pavement, were also unearthed.
Was an Important Place.
That this spot in Roman times was
extremely important there can be no
doubt. Nowhere else have there been
found paved streets of this descrip-
ton nor has another triumphal arch
been known.
Here on one side of the street we
find the Roman castle. on the other q
large paved court taking the place of
a forum. That the Hall Of Judgment
and home Of the governor should be
situated by this city square seems
quite natural, and the Bible accounts
go far to make 1t clear. Having thus
fixed the surroundings in our minds
as we stand on this pavement, we can
almost see small squads of Roman
soldiers, while off duty from the cas-
tie, lounging here CT passing the time
with their games which they them
selves have cut into the face of this
pavement or it may be we shall soon
see large crowd congregating here.
listening to some orator standing