Largest selection of original Biblical stock illustrations

A day's horseback riding from Jerusalem, just west of the Yericho oasis under the high cliffs of the Judean Desert lay a well watered estate where the wealthy Hasmonean families began building their winter palaces in the 2nd century BC. Herod built his own set of three palaces there as a luxurious retreat of pleasure and recreation where he could entertain guests as well as direct the affairs of state. Constructed by Roman artisans alongside local craftsmen the palace complex boasted lavish reception rooms with murals, bath houses, swimming pools and colonnaded courtyards with exotic gardens. Date palms and rare aromatic trees like the famed balsam tree were cultivated on many acres of irrigated land that received water from Wadi Qelt on both sides of which the palaces were situated. The aromatic resin of balsam trees were among the costliest luxury items in the ancient world and Herod no doubt generated a handsome revenue from their sale. The illustration gives the view of the estate looking due south in the early morning. It is based on an aerial photo of the same view and on the plans and reconstruction drawings of the late Ehud Netzer who excavated the palace complex.