The excavations at Zippori

With directions in hand we now headed for the National Park at Zippori. Zippori is a bird and the town was named thus in the Babylonian Talmud “Why is it called Zippori? Because it is perched on top of the mountain like a bird.” The hill of Zippori is located in the western Lower Galilee surrounded by fertile valleys and vistas that go on for miles. From the top of the hill we saw Haifa and the tower of Haifa University about 30 miles west. Some of the excavations at the site date to the First Temple period. In 47 BCE, (from the guide book) Herod the Great took Zippori by force during a snow storm. After his death the Jews revolted in 4BCE against the Romans and capture Zippori. The Roman army quelled the rebellion and burned the city selling the Jews into slavery. Herod’s son then ruled. Rulership continued to change hands, the Jews often ruled or at least lived side-by-side with the Romans. At one time the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, was here before moving further east to Tiberias. Around 200 CE Rabbi Judah redacted the Mishnah.
The Zippori settlement was vast hosting 18 synagogues and many study houses. It is mentioned frequently in the Talmud. The entire site is being excavated with some buildings, like the great fort and the Dionysus mansion already rebuilt and open for viewing. Among the amazing finds are beautifully intricate mosaic floors depicting the story of Dionysus. There is an elaborate system of viaducts and reservoirs that provided public water for the town and the bath houses. We walked through the reservoir, over 30 feet in height. We headed home early (we now consider Tiberias our temporary home) to prepare for Shabbos.