Funding of the Temple Paving
In this picture is an inscription that was discovered among the debris in a palace pool of the Herodian period, south of the plaza that runs along the southern wall of the Temple Mount. The inscription mentions the donation of Paris, son of Akeson, of Rhodes, which was most likely invested toward the cost of paving the Temple’s open southern court or Azara. According to Josephus, this court was paved with a variety of stones. This pavement was constructed, as the inscription notes, during the period of the Temple’s reconstruction, in the twentieth year of Herod’s reign (21 BCE), at the time of the High Priest Simon, son of Boethus.
Temple Paving Inscription: “year 20 (Herod reign) during the time of the High Priest (Simon son of Boethus)... Paris son of Akeson of Rhodes pavement (of the southern Temple Court?)... drachmas …”
Aperçu
This inscription was discovered among the debris in a palace pool of the Herodian period south of the plaza that runs along the southern wall of the Temple Mount. The inscription mentions the donation of Paris, son of Akeson, of Rhodes, probably toward the cost of paving the Temple’s open southern court (Azara). According to Josephus, this court was paved with a variety of stones. This pavement was constructed, as the inscription notes, during the period of the Temple’s reconstruction, in the twentieth year of Herod’s reign (21 BCE), at the time of the High Priest Simon, son of Boethus.
Temple Paving Inscription:
“year 20 (Herod reign) during the time of the High Priest (Simon son of Boethus)... Paris son of Akeson of Rhodes pavement (of the southern Temple Court?)... drachmas …”