---
title: The Temple and Causeway at Herod's Harbor
author: Patrick Scott Smith, M. A.   
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20611/the-temple-and-causeway-at-herods-harbor/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2025-08-12
---

# The Temple and Causeway at Herod's Harbor

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

## Image File

[![The Temple and Causeway at Herod's Harbor](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20611.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20611.jpg)

## Image Caption

As part of [Herod the Great's building program](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2487/herod-the-greats-building-program/), with the [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) located at the eastern foot of [Herod's Harbor](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2269/herods-harbor/) and the northwestern unbridgable entrance, the diameter route of its causeway would have expedited the movement of goods and military personnel. Moreover, as the causeway separated the inner harbor from the outer harbor, with the temple at its foot, the inner harbor waters were selectively plied by warships carrying dignitaries and notables.

Housing the colossi of [Juno](https://www.worldhistory.org/Juno/), patron goddess of [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/), and [Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/caesar/), [Caesarea Maritima](https://www.worldhistory.org/Caesarea_Maritima/)'s temple overlooked the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/)'s harbor. As it sat atop an expansive 100 by 90 meters (328 by 295 ft) super platform, [Josephus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Flavius_Josephus/) says it "could be seen from a great way off" and was "excellent both in beauty and largeness" (*Wars*, 1.21.7). Towering nearly 30 meters (100 ft) from its Corinthian [column](https://www.worldhistory.org/column/) bases to the top of its pediment and with a layout of 29 by 46 meters (95 x 150 ft), it was one of the largest temples in the East.

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' 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. (2025, July 05). The Temple and Causeway at Herod's Harbor. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20611/the-temple-and-causeway-at-herods-harbor/>
### Chicago
A., Patrick Scott Smith, M.. "The Temple and Causeway at Herod's Harbor." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 05, 2025. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20611/the-temple-and-causeway-at-herods-harbor/>.
### MLA
A., Patrick Scott Smith, M.. "The Temple and Causeway at Herod's Harbor." *World History Encyclopedia*, 05 Jul 2025, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20611/the-temple-and-causeway-at-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 05 July 2025. 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.