The Pillar of Legion X
The Imperial Hotel is located in the Umar Ibn Al-Khattab Square next to the Jaffa Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem. The hotel was built between the years 1884-1887 under the name "Grand New Hotel", and was one of the most luxurious and elaborated hotels in Jerusalem at that time. It became a popular accommodation place for tourists coming to visit the Holy City, and introduced many innovations for the first time in Jerusalem such as running water and electric lighting.
In the small courtyard located inside the hotel stands a short stone pillar, which serves as a base for some flower pots. On the pillar, a Latin inscription dating to the beginning of the 3rd century is engraved. The inscription is dedicated to Marcus Junius Maximus, the commander of the 10th Legion Fretensis, from his adjutant. The pillar was discovered close to its current location during archaeological excavations conducted in 1885, but was apparently moved here from its original place.
The 10th legion, Legio X Fretensis or LXF for short, was a Roman legion established by Octavian, later the first Roman emperor Augustus, in 41 BC during the Roman Civil War. With the annexation of Judea to the Roman Empire in 6 AD, the 10th Legion was sent to assist in its conquest and organization as a province. The legion took part in many crucial events in the history of the people of Israel. It was part of the Roman army that besieged Jerusalem in the year 70 AD, during which it was camped on the Mount of Olives. At the end of the difficult siege that lasted for 5 months, the Romans stormed the city, captured it and burned down the Temple. Then, under the command of Flavius Silva, the 10th legion besieged Masada, the last rebel stronghold, in the year 72. After constructing a formidable rampart that still exists today, the Romans managed to break into the steep fortress in the year 73, only to find out that its zealous defenders had all committed suicide. Between the years 132-136 AD, the legion fought against the Bar Kokhba Rebellion and participated in its brutal suppression, and its commander even won several honorary decorations from the Emperor Hadrian.The 10th legion, Legio X Fretensis or LXF for short, was a Roman legion established by Octavian, later the first Roman emperor Augustus, in 41 BC during the Roman Civil War. With the annexation of Judea to the Roman Empire in 6 AD, the 10th Legion was sent to assist in its conquest and organization as a province. The legion took part in many crucial events in the history of the people of Israel. It was part of the Roman army that besieged Jerusalem in the year 70 AD, during which it was camped on the Mount of Olives. At the end of the difficult siege that lasted for 5 months, the Romans stormed the city, captured it and burned down the Temple. Then, under the command of Flavius Silva, the 10th legion besieged Masada, the last rebel stronghold, in the year 72. After constructing a formidable rampart that still exists today, the Romans managed to break into the steep fortress in the year 73, only to find out that its zealous defenders had all committed suicide. Between the years 132-136 AD, the legion fought against the Bar Kokhba Rebellion and participated in its brutal suppression, and its commander even won several honorary decorations from the Emperor Hadrian.
The 10th Legion left behind additional remains in Jerusalem and throughout Israel, such as a pottery workshop discovered during the construction of the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, a theater built next to Wilson’s Arch at the Western Wall, many inscriptions, pottery and stamped tiles.
(Anecdote authored by: עמיר)
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עִבְרִית