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The Purpose of the Ritual Baths in the Tombs of the Kings: A New Proposal

Publication date: 12.2019

ELECTRUM, 2019, Volume 26, pp. 97 - 108

https://doi.org/10.4467/20800909EL.19.005.11208

Authors

,
Omri Abadi
Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
All publications →
Boaz Zissu
Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
All publications →

Titles

The Purpose of the Ritual Baths in the Tombs of the Kings: A New Proposal

Abstract

The monumental burial complex known as the “Tombs of the Kings” is regarded by scholars as the burial plot of Queen Helena of Adiabene and her family, who lived in Jerusalem in the firstcentury CE. In this paper we reconsider the original purpose of the two large ritual baths in the burial compound, based on the location of the site relative to its surroundings. The scholarship assumes that ritual baths situated next to tombs were intended for use by participants in funerals or memorial ceremonies. In this paper we suggest that in the case of the Tombs of the Kings, the adjacent baths were meant for purificationof pilgrims en route to Jerusalem, as can be understood from their geographical location.

References

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Information

Information: ELECTRUM, 2019, Volume 26, pp. 97 - 108

Article type: Original article

Authors

Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel

Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel

Published at: 12.2019

Article status: Open

Licence: CC BY-NC-ND  licence icon

Percentage share of authors:

Omri Abadi (Author) - 50%
Boaz Zissu (Author) - 50%

Article corrections:

-

Publication languages:

English