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Hananya Hizmi

A MANSION FIT FOR AN ETHNARCH. Like his father Herod, Archelaus had a passion for building. The massive mansion he constructed at his namesake village was over 3,000 square feet. Visitors entered through a columned portico into a large central courtyard. Finds indicate that the courtyard was decorated according to Greek fashion with Doric column capitals. But the courtyard, with a mikveh, or Jewish ritual bath, also confirmed the ethnicity of the inhabitants.