Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1915-11-19

~ and narrow streets of Jerusa-
IL 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 its day 1t 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 a
sewer, more of this pavement was
brought to light.
This latter has long since been Gov
cred up, while that part within the
limits of the buildings occupied by the
Sisters of Zion is laid open to view. as
we'll as the northern portion of the
triumphal arch.
Let us examine this pavement. All
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 next to it and in line
with the small arch the blocks are
smooth and clearly only intended fol
the use of pedestrians. 1t is only be
cause the present street is 80 mucf
narrower than the ancient one tha
|
pavement within the limits of tn,
present buildings. But the importan
point is that this pavement is not con
fined to a street and sidewalk, but ex
tends far in, or about 100 feet II
width. Its entire length has as we
not been ascertained by excavation.
On the smooth surface of thes
stone slabs we see cut into then
Roman games. Two large ston
benches, something the shape of
pedestal, about four feet high, place.
on the pavement, were also uneartheC
Was an Important Place.
That this spot in Roman times wa
extremely important there can be n
doubt. Nowhere else have there bee
found paved streets of this descriI
ton nor has another triumphal arc
been known.
Here on one side of the street "
find the Roman castle, on the other
large paved court taking the place c
J forum. That the Hall of Judgmen
and home of the governor should
situated by this city square seem
quite natural. and the Bible account
go far to make it clear. Having thu
fixed the surroundings in our mind
as we stand on this pavement, we ca
almost see small squads of Roma
soldiers, while off duty from the ca
tie, lounging here or passing the tim
with their games which they then
selves have cut into the face of thi
pavement, or it may be we shall 500
see a large crowd congregatlng her
} listening to some orator standin