Cite this garden Gleason, K., and E. Netzer (2021). "Twin Palaces of Alexandra Salome and Late Hasmonean Gardens." Gardens of the Roman Empire, accessed June 18, 2026. https://roman-gardens.github.io/id/296bb7c93b/

Twin Palaces of Alexandra Salome and Late Hasmonean Gardens

Published: 2021-04-21
Last modified: 2026-06-08

Dates

76 BCE - 32 BCE

Garden Description

The trend toward formal gardens and swimming pools at the palace complex gained new expression during the reign of Janneaus' widow, 76 to 32 BCEE. Two identical structures built at this time, sharing a common wall, appear to have housed her rival sons, John Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II. Each half of the twin palaces, which were located to the south of the Pool complex, was built around a paved inner courtyard. (Fig. 3) The reception room and triclinium opened onto each of the courts via distyle in antis.

Alongside each of the twin palaces was a swimming pool surrounded by a garden and fence. Small reception halls appear to have been constructed next to the pools. In the eastern garden, we also exposed a garden-triclinium that was probably open to the sky, the floor of which was once covered by water; the benches were decorated with frescoes.

Apparently at the same time, changes were made in the Pool Complex, indicating a greater sensitivity to the garden areas. A wall separating the swimming pools from the peristyle garden to the north was demolished and replace by a row of columns. West of the pools, a large hall (11 x 6.5m) probably served for receptions.

After Alexandra's death, during the period from 67-32, a large swimming pool (20 x 12.5) was added to the east of the twin palaces. At the same time, installations for bathing and ritual immersion were built over the small garden west of the Pool complex. Three long, narrow storerooms, probably for the storage of produce from the larger royal estate, were erected in the corresponding small garden to the east of the pools. (Fig. 4)

Plans

Figure 2: The plantations and Hasmonean palace buildings, Area AA represent the location of the the buried Palace.(K. Wilczak and K. Gleason, after Netzer 2001a: Plan 4; Netzer and Laureys-Chachy 2004: Plan 2)
Figure 3:Plan of the later Hasmonean palaces and their gardens. Light gray shading indicates gardens, dark gray shading indicates pools
Credit: (Gleason after Netzer 2001a: Plan 8)

Images

Figure 4: Axonometric reconstruction of the Hasmonean palace prior to the earthquake of 32 BCE.
Credit: (Netzer 1999).

Bibliography

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