Biblical references: In John 19.14, we read that Pilate brought Jesus out and "sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha)" (NIV). The Greek word is lithostrotos. Underneath the Ecco Homo Convent of the Sisters of Sion, excavations have revealed a stone pavement. This was for many years said to be the "exact place" where Jesus had been judged. More recent study has uncovered the Struthion Pool, a water reservior from Herodian times which served the Antonia fortress. This pool was vaulted over in the second century AD and turned into a cistern by Hadrian. The present Roman pavement was laid by Hadrian over the vault of the cistern. This served as a plaza and market place to Aelia Capitolina - the name Hadrian gave his new city, built in 135AD on the ruins of Jerusalem which Titus had destroyed in 70AD. The present pavement was made from the large courtyard stones of the Antonia. So, in a very real sense, it was on these paving stones that the judgment took place.
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The Struthion Pool under the Pavement.
Game scratched in the paving stone - "king for a day".
Pavement/Lithostrotos Photos
The Struthion Pool under the Pavement.
Game scratched in the paving stone - "king for a day".
The Roman Pavement or lithostrotos.