---
title: Unique Structures at Herod's Harbor
author: Patrick Scott Smith, M. A.   
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20681/unique-structures-at-herods-harbor/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2025-07-17
---

# Unique Structures at Herod's Harbor

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

## Image File

[![Unique Structures at Herod's Harbor](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20681.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20681.jpg)

## Image Caption

As part of [Herod the Great's building program](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2487/herod-the-greats-building-program/), besides the unattached edifices at the entrance to [Herod's Harbor](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2269/herods-harbor/), there is material evidence for two other unique structures. One was a low-lying breakwater south of the harbor’s tower-and-[wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) system called the *Procumatia* or "the first breaker of the waves." The added mention by [Josephus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Flavius_Josephus/) of “buildings before it in order to break the force of the waves” is indicative of the modern-day use of baffle blocks to mitigate erosion. (*Wars*, 1.21.6) The other structure, called a harbor-divide, with its diameter route, indicates a causeway used to expedite goods and troops across the harbor.

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 17). Unique Structures at Herod's Harbor. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20681/unique-structures-at-herods-harbor/>
### Chicago
A., Patrick Scott Smith, M.. "Unique Structures at Herod's Harbor." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 17, 2025. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20681/unique-structures-at-herods-harbor/>.
### MLA
A., Patrick Scott Smith, M.. "Unique Structures at Herod's Harbor." *World History Encyclopedia*, 17 Jul 2025, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20681/unique-structures-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 17 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.