The Subterranean tunnels


The Subterranean Tunnel Complex at Herodium

מערכת המנהרות

During the period of the rebellions against the Romans, the rebels established a complex system of underground tunnels inside the Herodium hill. During the First Revolt, a steep tunnel was hewn to guarantee the water-supply to the Palace-Fortress in times of Roman siege, making it possible to carry water from the lower cisterns up to the fortress without exposure to the enemy.
During the later Bar-Kokhba revolt, further complex tunnels were dug, connecting the earlier cisterns with one another. These led from the fortress to hidden openings which allowed surprise attacks on Roman units scaling the hill (two of these openings were uncovered next to the Herodian Royal Tomb). As opposed to the narrow and restricted tunnel complexes from the Judean Shephelah, the Herodium tunnels were broad, with high ceilings, allowing for rapid movement of armed soldiers. The tunnel-diggers dumped the spoil into the empty cisterns, already out of use at the time.

 
 

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