Palestine - Sebastia

Sebaste, identified with ancientSamaria, is the capital of the northern kingdom during the Iron Age II inPalestineand a major urban centre during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. A series of excavations were carried out in the site between 1908-1910 byHarvardUniversity, under the direction of G.A. Reisner and C.S. Fisher, and in 1931-35 by a Joint expedition under the direction of J. Crowfoot. Small excavations were also carried out by the Jordanian Department of Antiquities in 1967. According to the biblical tradition, Omri purchased the hill from a man named Shemer and made it his capital.Samariawas captured by the Assyrians in 722 BC during the reign of Sargun II. After the conquest, the city became the centre of the AssyrianprovinceofSamaria. The excavations uncovered part of the city on the acropolis surrounded by two walls. Within this walled area, several buildings were uncovered, consisting of a monumental building with square rooms and a central courtyard. This building probably functioned as part of the royal quarter. One of the major discoveries in this building is the ivory collection that was found in one room. Under Persian ruleSamariaremained a provincial capital for centralPalestine. In 332 BC,Samariawas captured by Alexander the Great. Massive fortification around the acropolis was added, including a circular tower. The city was completely destroyed by John Hyrcanus in 107 BC.