Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (AAI) have discovered the ruins of the camp of the VI Iron Legion, the famous Roman unit participating in many historical events of the empire, according to a statement from the spokesperson.
Created in 52 BC. C. by Gaius Julius Caesar, the legion was based in Judea about 1,800 years ago, at the foot of Megiddo Hill, known for its historical, geographical and theological importance, under its Greek name Armageddon, the place associated with the apocalyptic biblical battle of the end of humanity.
It is the only Roman military base of this scale to have an entire city of legionaries, according to the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology. The unit was transferred for permanent deployment to Judea in the early 2nd century AD to suppress the uprising of the Jews against the Roman occupation. It subsequently remained there for almost two centuries, ensuring Rome’s control over the entire region.
For a long time, it was unknown where exactly the legion’s base was, although most historians assumed that it should be in the western part of the Jezreel Valley, in the area of Megiddo Hill, located near the Kibbutz of Megiddo, a 80 km north of Jerusalem.
The excavations revealed “extensive and impressive architectural remains of the Pretoria main road, as well as a semicircular podium and stone paved areas that formed part of a large and monumental public building,” according to the AAI statement cited by the Armstrong Institute.
Coins, remains of weapons, pottery, glass and many, many tiles were discovered inside the camp. «Some of the tiles bore the seals of the VI Legion, they were used for various purposes: roofing buildings, paving floors and covering walls. “The technology and knowledge, construction techniques and weapons that the legion brought with it from its country of origin are unique to the Roman Army and reflect specific Roman imperial military footprints,” the statement noted.
The military base housed more than 5,000 soldiers of the Legio VI Ferrata, known as the Sixth Armored Legion, for more than 180 years, from 117-120 to around 300 AD.
“In the center of the camp, 550 meters long and 350 meters wide, two main roads intersect and their headquarters was built here,” explained the director of the excavations, Yotam Tepper.
The archaeologist pointed out that the expansion of the Megido National Park, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is being discussed to include sections of the Roman legionnaires’ base.
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