The Star and Death of Beth Shean.

The ancient city of Beit Shean was destroyed overnight by an earthquake in 749. Rabbi Shimon ben Lahish said in the third century: “If paradise is in the land of Israel, its entrance is Beit Shean.”

I invite you to the amazing archaeological park - Beit Shean!

People have lived here since time immemorial, because the place is very good: there is a source of water – the river. There is little water in the Middle East, but where good owners have it, the land becomes a garden of paradise. This “bonuses” good location does not end: the valley of Beit Sheana is the intersection of two main trade routes running through the land of Israel: the royal road and the sea. It is good to live in the East: you lie in the sun, you cut coupons from trade with both hands, and sweet fruits fall into your mouth!

The settlement in Beit Shean originated on a small strategically high hill, where archaeologists found ruins of buildings from the Neolithic period, when the Canaanites lived here, and the Egyptian period (12th century BC). Why on a high hill? Yes, because, “you can not forbid to live well, but you can prevent”, there are many envious people around whom they had to defend themselves every now and then.

Beit Shean is so ancient that it is mentioned in the Bible. First, when the Israelite tribes enter the Promised Land, the land is divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, Beit Shean goes to the tribe of Menashe, but, alas, they never managed to conquer the city. The next mention of Beit Shean is found in the book of the prophet Samuel, which tells how the first Jewish king Saul died. Saul's body was hung by enemies on the walls of Beit Shean.

However, the heyday of the city undoubtedly falls on the Roman and Byzantine periods. At this time, the city was renamed Sketopolis or Scythopolis. This resort city was chosen by Scythian warriors-veterans. The Scythians (yes, yes, those with slanted and greedy eyes) were rightly considered excellent archers and brave warriors, so they liked to be hired in their army by Alexander the Great, Ptolemy, Romans.

The city spoke mainly Greek, although here and there, you could hear Aramaic, Latin. Sketopolis became a Hellenistic rich city, in which Jews, good and evil Samaritans, besides the Greeks, settled with pleasure - everything was boiling and boiling!

Judging by the archaeological finds, the city was like a resort city, a holiday city! Judge for yourself: archaeologists have discovered here the largest Roman baths in Israel. The Roman bath is entertainment for the whole day, here you and the gym, and massage, and sauna, and swimming pool. Since you are already clean, you can walk along the beautiful streets with columns, do shopping, visit a brothel, and in the evening go to the theater or hippodrome. Returning home, you could stop by a quiet pool, in which, according to the architects’ plan, gorgeous columns were reflected in a mirror. What do architects dream of when they build something that is reflected in water, like in the Taj Mahal, in Washington, near the Lincoln Monument? Perhaps they dream Persian gardens - synonymous with paradise!
Remember? “If paradise is in the land of Israel, its entrance is Beit Shean.”

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