Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1915-11-19

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 its day it stood
across a wide paved street; under it
ratified the Roman chariots, while the
smaller arches, one on each side, &C
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 Turkish barracks,
being undoubtedly the site of the Cas-
tie of Antonio. This latter site was
originally 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 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 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
grooyed, 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 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 street and sidewalk, but ex-
tends far in, or about 100 feet in
width. It's entire length has as yet
not been ascertained by excavation. ~
On the smooth surface of these
stone slabs we see cut intor them
Roman games. Two large stone
benches, something the shape Of a
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 nc
doubt. Nowhere else have there been
found paved streets Of this descrip-
ton nor has aa0ther' Eriunsbhal arch
been known. ia YIich all ., ). :.SsTI
Here on onesside at the tstgsst. we
find the Roman csatlss on the other a
large paved court II Iaslkfin.s the RlaSe. of
a forum. ,,,JT That the Hall 3, Judgment
and home Of the governor Should Be
situated by this city square Seems
quite natural and the sBibief AteStf1ts
go fafsB make itscleaf31 Having THUS
fixed the surroundings Hr osiramf1ios
Ia we,stehds ulithis pxfemem, awa can
alm0std seat zsaAslsloaadst o6d Roman
soldiers. nw,hile, soffdNty fSadR the cas-,
slSm oAAsjpg sbsre 1ey sp4Ssapg r6hs 5ime
With tRejN oga@sssu y5biish a thffsX tbasIaa
SfisSl iyy have cut i9to t9e faSs Of this
Pavement, 81 it may BE Be We s hafY s soibsh
see a large crowd congfggatnW h1f@
listening to some orator standing