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Abstract

One of King Herod’s most ambitious projects was the Stoa Basileios, built on the southern flank of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and described in detail by Flavius JosephusA (J 15.411−416). This Royal Portico—Herod’s often unrecognized contribution to the Temple Mount complex—exhibited, more than any of his other projects, his fondness of architectural innovation and his great power. The construction of the Royal Portico involved the expansion of the Temple Mount beyond the natural topography of Mount Moriah by means of earthen fills and vaults supported by massive enclosure walls. Herod invested considerable effort in the decoration of the Royal Portico. Flavius Josephus, in c. 93/94 CE, describes it as “the most worthy construction project to recount about that exists under the sun… these structures seemed incredible to those who had not seen them, and were beheld with amazement by those who set eyes on themA”J (15.412–416). Since none of the masonry of the Portico has survived in situ, most scholars considered its reconstruction largely elusive. In this paper, I argue that overlooked remains of the structure’s architectural decoration reveal features of its original design and enable a detailed and accurate reconstruction of this breath-taking edifice. This research presents the varied range of sources available to Josephus, offering a better picture of the layout and decoration of Herod’s Temple Mount and highlighting unrecognized links between Herod’s architectural ambitions and his public image which he desired to project throughout Judea and in Rome.

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