The Location of Tarichaea: North or South of Tiberias?

Author: Kokkinos, Nikos

Source: Palestine Exploration Quarterly, Volume 142, Number 1, March 2010 , pp. 7-23(17)

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Abstract:

The current consensus regarding the location of Tarichaea as lying north of Tiberias by the Sea of Galilee, and as being identical to one of two cities with the name MGDL known from Rabbinical sources, is based on the old opinion of Albright. However, this opinion had unfortunately side-stepped the primary evidence of Pliny the Elder and badly misinterpreted that of Josephus. A closer look at the Greek text of the Jewish historian reveals that Tarichaea could only have been located south of Tiberias. Vespasian's approach to Tiberias, explained in geographical, geopolitical and military terms, shows the right direction, and the archaeologically established location of the hot spring called 'Ammathō' leaves no doubt. Further support is gained by an analysis of the information concerning the station 'Sennabris', the neglected outpost 'Homonoia', and the episode involving some youths from the village of Dabaritta. Any remains of Tarichaea — at the distance of '30 stadia' (or just over 5.5 km) from Tiberias according to Josephus — should be sought 1 to 1.5 km north and north-west of Tel Bet Yerach, also the site of Hellenistic Philoteria.

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/003103209X12483454548167

Affiliations: Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies, University College London;, Email: nikos@kokkinos.co.uk

Publication date: 2010-03-01

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