---
title: Herod's Harbor: A Unique Engineering Feat
author: Patrick Scott Smith, M. A.   
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17791/herods-harbor/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2025-07-09
---

# Herod's Harbor: A Unique Engineering Feat

_Authored by [Patrick Scott Smith, M. A.   ](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/patrickscottsmith1956/)_

## Image File

[![Herod's Harbor: A Unique Engineering Feat](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17791.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17791.jpg)

## Image Caption

As part of [Herod the Great's building program](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2487/herod-the-greats-building-program/), as Herod's Harbor housed 40 acres of water, with its circular configuration, to deflect extreme north-bound waves, along with the lighthouse and outsized tower at the entrance, two free-standing edifices, also at the entrance, indicate their deflective purpose, to further calm the water for the manageable passage of ships.

Using archaeological reports by Avner Raban, John Oleson, Robert Hohlfelder, and others, along with comparative analysis of known [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) construction techniques, [Josephus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Flavius_Josephus/)' eyewitness descriptions, and Herodian fortification work at [Jerusalem](https://www.worldhistory.org/jerusalem/) and [Masada](https://www.worldhistory.org/Masada/), the image you see is part of the collaborative creation of Lithodomos and Patrick Scott Smith.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Presenting research for the American Society of Overseas Research and Missouri Academy of Science and writing for the Association for the Scientific Study of Religion, Patrick Smith won the 2015 and 2024 Frank Forwood Award for Excellence in Research.

## Cite This Work

### APA
A., P. S. S. M. (2023, August 23). Herod's Harbor: A Unique Engineering Feat. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17791/herods-harbor/>
### Chicago
A., Patrick Scott Smith, M.. "Herod's Harbor: A Unique Engineering Feat." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 23, 2023. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17791/herods-harbor/>.
### MLA
A., Patrick Scott Smith, M.. "Herod's Harbor: A Unique Engineering Feat." *World History Encyclopedia*, 23 Aug 2023, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17791/herods-harbor/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Patrick Scott Smith, M. A.](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/patrickscottsmith1956/ "User Page: Patrick Scott Smith, M. A."), published on 23 August 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.