In 63 BCE the Romans invaded Israel making them a client state. In an effort to govern the region, which was often unstable, Rome would install Kings/Governors (such as Herod the Great) or Prefects (such as Pontius Pilate). It was during this time that Yehusha (Jesus) was born and the Messianic Ministry began. As prophesied in Daniel, the Messiah (Yehusha) would enter the gate and be "cut off," which occurred exactly (to the day) when Daniel said it would 600 years prior. For more information regarding this, please see The Coming Prince by Sir Robert Anderson.
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Type: Priestly Mixing Cup
Age: 100 BCE-100 CE Era: Roman Culture: Roman Judea Excavated: Jerusalem Purchased: Zuzim Antiquities Reference: Yadin, Y. (1966) Masada Herod's Fortress and the Zealot's Last Stand. Photo on pg. 153. Ritual Purity was of the utmost importance to the Priestly class of the Jewish Second Temple period. Since metal and pottery could be deemed impure, but stone could not (according to the Levitical Law), the temple priests and ascetics would utilize stoneware. This cup is unfinished, as are most of the others excavated thus far. The unfinished nature is likely due to the onset of the Jewish War against Rome in 70 C.E. Chisel marks are still clearly seen on the unfinished surfaces. 
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Type: Oil Lamp
Age: 100 BCE-100 CE Era: Roman Culture: Roman Judea Excavated: Unknown Purchased: Undisclosed Oil lamps are commonly found in archaeological digs. This lamp, although moderately corroded, appears to have the wick still in situ; albeit encased in the hardened buildup on the inside. |
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Type: Theater Token
Age: 1st Century CE Era: Roman Culture: Roman Excavated: Unknown Purchased: Mark E. Reid Ed.D. |
Type: Roman Medical Instruments
Age: 1st-3rd Century CE
Era: Roman
Culture: Roman
Excavated: There are three sets here, one excavated in Israel, another in Jordan, and the third excavation site is unknown. The sets are mixed in the pictures, sorted by relative purpose.
Purchased: Jerusalem, Israel, United Arab Emirates, and Ohio, United States.
Age: 1st-3rd Century CE
Era: Roman
Culture: Roman
Excavated: There are three sets here, one excavated in Israel, another in Jordan, and the third excavation site is unknown. The sets are mixed in the pictures, sorted by relative purpose.
Purchased: Jerusalem, Israel, United Arab Emirates, and Ohio, United States.
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Weapons
Type: Thrust Spear Head
Age: 1st-3rd Century CE
Era: Roman
Culture: Roman
Excavated: Unknown
Purchase: Mark E. Reid Ed.D.
The Roman's had different types of spears; however, the two most common are the pilum and thrust spear. Josephus writes that those soldiers wielding the Pilum (javelin) were stationed towards the back of the rank. On cue, they would throw their pilum at the oncoming army. The head of the pilum was designed to do two things, penetrate what it hit and bend. It was strong enough to stick into a shield, and once it bent, the shield would be nearly impossible to carry into battle.
The thrust spear, pictured above, was carried by soldiers about three rows back. As such, these spears would extend out beyond the first line of soldiers. As they moved towards the oncoming army, these spears would serve as a second line of offense after the Pilum that was thrown from many yards away.
Age: 1st-3rd Century CE
Era: Roman
Culture: Roman
Excavated: Unknown
Purchase: Mark E. Reid Ed.D.
The Roman's had different types of spears; however, the two most common are the pilum and thrust spear. Josephus writes that those soldiers wielding the Pilum (javelin) were stationed towards the back of the rank. On cue, they would throw their pilum at the oncoming army. The head of the pilum was designed to do two things, penetrate what it hit and bend. It was strong enough to stick into a shield, and once it bent, the shield would be nearly impossible to carry into battle.
The thrust spear, pictured above, was carried by soldiers about three rows back. As such, these spears would extend out beyond the first line of soldiers. As they moved towards the oncoming army, these spears would serve as a second line of offense after the Pilum that was thrown from many yards away.
Type: Sauroter/Butt-Spike
Age: During Roman Era
Era: Roman Era
Culture: Roman
Excavated: Unknown
Purchased: Undisclosed Seller
The souroter (lizard killer) spike would be adhered to the butt end of a spear, making both ends deadly.
Age: During Roman Era
Era: Roman Era
Culture: Roman
Excavated: Unknown
Purchased: Undisclosed Seller
The souroter (lizard killer) spike would be adhered to the butt end of a spear, making both ends deadly.
Type: Roman Pugio (Dagger)
Age: 1st Century CE
Era: Roman
Culture: Roman
Excavated: "Central Europe" likely Roman Germania
Purchase: Worley Enterprises International LLC
Age: 1st Century CE
Era: Roman
Culture: Roman
Excavated: "Central Europe" likely Roman Germania
Purchase: Worley Enterprises International LLC
Although coroded from being in the ground of central Europe for 2000 years, this is a decent example of a Roman Pugio (dagger).
Note of Provenance from seller: This piece has great provenance! Found in Central Europe in the early 20th century, sold to a German Arms & Armor collector. Later sold to US based private arms and armor collector in the 1990’s (a reputable collector that lends pieces for movie production, research, and more). I purchased it with other artifacts from this owners collection upon his retirement.
Note of Provenance from seller: This piece has great provenance! Found in Central Europe in the early 20th century, sold to a German Arms & Armor collector. Later sold to US based private arms and armor collector in the 1990’s (a reputable collector that lends pieces for movie production, research, and more). I purchased it with other artifacts from this owners collection upon his retirement.
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Type: Arrow Heads
Age: 1st-3rd Century CE Era: Roman Culture: Roman Excavated: Unknown Purchased: Palmyra Heritage Vcoin The bottom picture is called a trilobite arrow head; named after it's three sides. This design allowed for greater accuracy and distance. (See the Babylonian arrow head for more information on Trilobite arrow heads. |
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Type: Arrow Head
Age: 1st-3rd Century CE Era: Roman Culture: Roman Excavated: Unknown Purchased: Holy Land Ancient Coin Corp. This arrow head is another example of the trilobite style. |
Type: Replica Sicarii
Culture: Replica of a Sicarii (Dagger) used by the Sicarii in their war against Rome in 66-73 AD.
Produced by: Charles Fausett
As noted in other sections (see the Jewish Revolt coins), war broke out between the Jews and Rome in 66 CE. Somehow, the Roman political class gained influence over the Jewish religious system, including choosing the High Priest. A group of zealots lit the fire of rebellion and, ultimately, Rome’s response, as detailed by Flavius Josephus. After the Galilee fell, Rome marched on Jerusalem which was destroyed in 70 CE. Masada was the last hope for the Jewish rebels. Masada was the desert fortress started by Johnathan (of the Maccabean era), and later fortified by Herod as a secure retreat for him and his family. It now became the last secure retreat, or so thy thought, for the Rebels. 73CE saw the end of the Jewish rebellion and the fall of Masada via siege and suicide.
Culture: Replica of a Sicarii (Dagger) used by the Sicarii in their war against Rome in 66-73 AD.
Produced by: Charles Fausett
As noted in other sections (see the Jewish Revolt coins), war broke out between the Jews and Rome in 66 CE. Somehow, the Roman political class gained influence over the Jewish religious system, including choosing the High Priest. A group of zealots lit the fire of rebellion and, ultimately, Rome’s response, as detailed by Flavius Josephus. After the Galilee fell, Rome marched on Jerusalem which was destroyed in 70 CE. Masada was the last hope for the Jewish rebels. Masada was the desert fortress started by Johnathan (of the Maccabean era), and later fortified by Herod as a secure retreat for him and his family. It now became the last secure retreat, or so thy thought, for the Rebels. 73CE saw the end of the Jewish rebellion and the fall of Masada via siege and suicide.
Other Items
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Type: Glass Vial
Age: 1st-3rd Century CE Era: Roman Culture: Roman Excavated: Unknown Purchased: Mark E. Reid Ed.D. Some have suggested that this small vial served as a unguentariun, which is possible, but in my opinion, unlikely. An unguentariun is one form of tear vial used in the ancient world. These were used to gather tears cried during events such as funerals. The tears would be kept or deposited with the deceased. Although the shape varies among tear vials, normally the neck is much longer which makes it easier to catch the tears. This one is still up in the air. |
The four pictures are magnified to show the markings on three of the weights.
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Type: Roman Weights (for measuring product)
Age: 1st-3rd Century CE Era: Roman Culture: Roman Excavated: Unknown Purchased: Mark E. Reid Ed.D. Have you ever wondered why the abbreviation of pound is lb? The ancient Roman equivalent of a pound was called a Libra, which abbreviated is lb. Can you guess the western equivalent to the ancient Roman Uncia? If you guessed ounce, you would be correct. Sorry, there is no prize...or participation trophies for this game show. Just as today, when people went shopping they would need a specific amount of a product. These weights were used as counter balances to determine how much product was on the scale. Throughout the Bible we read about dishonest merchants who would use deceptive weights and measures to rip off the people. Hear this, you who trample the needy, to do away with the humble of the land, 5 saying, “When will the new moon be over, So that we may sell grain, And the sabbath, that we may open the wheat market, To make the bushel smaller and the shekel bigger, And to cheat with dishonest scales, 6 So as to buy the helpless for money And the needy for a pair of sandals, And that we may sell the refuse of the wheat?” Amos 8:4-6 |
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Type: Roman Defixio (Tabella Defixionis)
Age: 1st-3rd Century CE Era: Roman Culture: Roman (Roman Emboricum) Excavated: Roman Emboricum Purchased: York Antiquities: Yorkshire England These small lead tablets, called a defixio, were used in religious rituals. Inside of the folded lead would be writing, typically scratched in with a stylus. Most often the writing contained a curse or prayer. Although this one is from the Roman era, in 2019, a very important defixio was found on Mt. Ebal, Israel. The Ebal defixio has been associated with the alter built by Joshua, just after the Exodus. You can read the scientific article about the Ebal defixio at by clicking below. Mt. Ebal Defixio Article |
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Type: Ring Key with two key latches
Age: 1st-6th Century CE Era: Roman Culture: Roman Excavated: Unknown Purchased: Mark E. Reid Ed.D. |
did you Know?
Did you know a stone was found in Caesarea Marittima with the name Pontius Pilate on it? See the picture below. Yes, the stone is damaged but scholars agree that this stone is attributed to Pilate who partially governed from Caesarea Marittima.
First Line: Tiberievm (referring to the emperor Tiberius)
Second Line: (Pon)tivs Pilatvs
Third Line: (Praef)ectus Iuda (Iuda is how Judea was written by the Romans)
Also, U's and V's are a bit different with the ancient romans. If you don't believe me, see History of the World Part I by Mel Brooks.
First Line: Tiberievm (referring to the emperor Tiberius)
Second Line: (Pon)tivs Pilatvs
Third Line: (Praef)ectus Iuda (Iuda is how Judea was written by the Romans)
Also, U's and V's are a bit different with the ancient romans. If you don't believe me, see History of the World Part I by Mel Brooks.
