Photo: 7 May, 2010.
This
early 3rd century AD Roman triumphant column was discovered in 1885.
Today, it serves as a lamp post of a bar in Jerusalem Old City. The Latin engravings
on the column are dedicated to Marco Junio Maximo, an emissary of the 10th
Legion under the Roman emperor Septimius Severus (145-211 AD). Remember, the same
legion under the command of Titus was responsible for the siege and destruction
of Jerusalem in the year AD 70.
Father
Jerome Murphy-O'Connor translates the inscription: "M(arco) Iunio Maximo leg(ato) Aug(ustorum) Leg(ionis) X
Fr(etensis) Antoninianae C. Dom(itius) Serg(ius) str(ator) eius". He
further writes, 'The inscription honours
Marcus Iunius Maximus, Legate of the Augusts (i.e. the emperor Septimius
Severus and his eldest son Caracalla), which implies that he was the governor
of the province of Judaea, and Legate of the Tenth Legion Fretensis. It was
erected c.ad 200 by one of his aides, C. Domitius Sergius Honoratus. After
participating in the capture of Jerusalem in ad 70, the Tenth Legion was based
in the city for over 200 years, occupying the area that is now the Armenian
Quartern' (The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide from Earliest
Times to 1700, 5th Edition, 2007, p.66-67).
Location
The
Roman column is located very near Jaffa Gate. Look for the second side street
to the Christian Quarter, which is to your left while entering the Old City
from Jaffa Gate. A few feet inside the street, you should find 'New Imperial
Hotel' or 'Versavee Bistro, Bar & Cafe’; the column is in the middle of
their courtyard with a flag/lamp post on top of it advertising ‘Bar & Café’!
