Tell es-Samarat lies about 600 m southwest of Tell
es-Sultan. Early examination in 1868 by C. Warren
revealed little, but aerial photographs in the 1970s
suggested that the mound might be the hippodrome
mentioned by Josephus. Excavations in 1975–1976
determined that the mound is an artificial podium on
which only foundations survive. These include the
foundations of a theater built at the southern edge of
the mound, as well as walls surrounding a level area
to the south that served as a racecourse about 320 m
long and 85 m wide.
The surviving sections of the surrounding walls are
1.6 m thick. North of the racecourse stood a theater,
identified by a circular mud-brick wall and the
foundation of the artificial fill that once supported the
seating. The plastered surfaces preserved here appear
to mark the foundation of a horizontal aisle partway
up the cavea. The theater’s diameter was about 70 m.
Nothing survives of the orchestra or stage, and the
audience seated in the theater probably also viewed
the races taking place on the track.
Behind the theater stood a square podium building
about 70 by 70 m. Rising some 8–12 m above the
surroundings, it was bounded on the west and east by
retaining walls roughly 7 m thick. The southern side
was defined by the theater’s semicircular wall, while
the north side abutted two rows of mud-brick rooms
filled with debris. Examination of the podium’s
center revealed almost no foundations, suggesting an
open courtyard surrounded by stoas on three sides.
Only a portion of a plastered floor remains, beside
which stood a group of ashlar blocks including two
column drums. One drum, about 60 cm in diameter,
bore fresco decoration resembling veined marble. The
podium walls, originally set on a gradient, were
probably faced with ashlars.
The finds from the site—including isolated fragments
of capitals and friezes—indicate construction and use
during the Herodian period. The complex appears to
relate to events described by Josephus concerning
Herod’s final days. Its combination of podium
building, theater, and racecourse is unique in the
Hellenistic-Roman world. The building may have
served as a residence for participants in the racing
events or possibly as a gymnasium. The rectangular
racecourse resembles the Herodian stadium found by
the Joint Expedition at Samaria-Sebaste.
Tell Es-Samarat
