Roman Beit Guvrin: The City of Freedom Revealed

# Beit Guvrin: From Roman Glory to Crusader Fortress | Part 3 of Maresha-Beit Guvrin Series

Discover the remarkable Roman and Crusader history of Beit Guvrin in this third and final part of our Maresha-Beit Guvrin UNESCO World Heritage Site series. Following the destruction of Maresha, Beit Guvrin emerged as the region's dominant city, renamed Eleutheropolis ("City of the Free") by Emperor Septimius Severus in 200 CE.

Journey with us as we explore the extraordinary Roman amphitheater, hidden underground for centuries until its chance discovery in 1981. This unique purpose-built arena once hosted gladiatorial combat, wild animal fights, and spectacular shows for 3,500 spectators. Learn about its fascinating architectural features, symbolic gates, and the small cult room where gladiators likely paid homage to Nemesis before entering the arena.

Witness how Beit Guvrin evolved through the Byzantine era, when it controlled vast territories and appeared on the famous Madaba Map, through the Early Arab period when its massive bell caves were excavated, to the Crusader era when Fulk of Anjou built the impressive fortress and basilica in 1136.

This video completes our exploration of this archaeological treasure, where Maresha's underground marvels (Parts 1-2) gave way to Beit Guvrin's monumental Roman and medieval structures. Join us for this final chapter in the remarkable story of how successive civilizations shaped this crossroads of ancient Judea.

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Chapters:
0:00 - intro
02:39 - The Crusador fortress
04:08 - Byzantine period, Eleutheropolis
06:50 - The amphitheater
09:20 - outro

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