Opus Sectile and Romanization in Judea

An analysis based on the collection of the Biblical Archeology Museum of the Adventist University Center of São Paulo

Abstract

The Museum of Biblical Archaeology (MAB) collection at the Centro Universitário Adventista de São Paulo, located in Engenheiro Coelho, São Paulo, features a mosaic created using the opus sectile technique in its long-lasting exhibition area. This technique, dating back to the Roman period, especially the late 1st century BCE, represented a form of sophisticated and technically complex decoration. Present in aristocratic villas, temples, and palaces, opus sectile symbolized an artistic innovation compared to traditional mosaics. Although associated with the Roman context, archaeological records documented by Ehud Netzer (2006) reveal the presence of sectile floors in places such as Masada, Cyprus, Jericho, and Jerusalem. This study aims to analyze the technique and patterns of Roman and Herodian sectile floors, with particular attention to the floors of the Temple of Jerusalem, and to evaluate the importance of reproducing these floors at the MAB as an educational and research resource. The methodology of the study was divided into two stages: first, a historiographic analysis of Roman opus sectile mosaics and Herodian innovations, based on the classifications of Federico Guidobaldi (2009), Ehud Netzer (2006; 2018), and Frankie Snyder (2020; 2021); second, an investigation into the process of reproducing the Herodian floors at the MAB and their didactic functions in introducing archaeological theory and material culture to the community. The results showed that Herod the Great stood out as an innovative architect in antiquity, promoting Romanization by adopting and adapting Roman techniques such as opus sectile. His unique approach, evidenced by the use of the Herodian triangle and variations in square modules, left a distinctive mark on the architecture of his time. The reconstruction of the floor at the Museum of Biblical Archaeology not only advances knowledge of Roman architecture but also contributes to the preservation of the identity of the Temple of Jerusalem, offering a valuable educational resource.