We are holding a News Conference at 11am on Monday May 5th to announce the film and its discoveries to the world’s media.
The event will take place in the Scheuer auditorium at The Jewish Museum on 5th Avenue in Manhattan.
We are delighted to announce that Bruce and Rene will be joined by an impressive panel.
Dr Gabriel Barkay, senior lecturer, Bar Ilan University, Jerusalem
One of the world’s leading biblical archaeologists and the recipient of the prestigious Jerusalem Prize in Archaeology. Dr. Barkay will discuss his analysis of the 1st Jerusalemite relics discovered in the wooden chest by Ben Hammott and Bruce in the ‘Cave of the Magdalene’
Reverend Lionel Fanthorpe, senior lecturer, Cardiff Academy, Wales
A fully ordained Anglican priest, Reverend Lionel Fanthorpe is now a popular TV and Radio presenter, researcher and author of over 250 books, many on the Knights Templar, and the Rennes-Le-Chateau mystery.
Detective Inspector Colin Taylor, Metropolitan Police (ret)
A former Detective Inspector at New Scotland Yard, Colin Taylor was Commander of the Drug Squad and Deputy Divisional Commander of the Major Crime Squad. Taylor twice received the Police Commissioner’s Commendations for outstanding work. In 2007, Colin was asked by Ben Hammott to re-open the files on the unsolved 1897 murder of Abbe Gelis in Coustassa, and re-examine the facts, and the evidence through the eyes of a modern forensic detective.
The Right Reverend Shelby Spong, Bishop of Newark (ret)
The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark for 24 years before his retirement in 2001 is considered the champion of an inclusive faith by many, both inside and outside the Christian church. A visiting lecturer at Harvard and at universities and churches worldwide, the outspoken Bishop will explain why he believes that traditional Christianity is ‘dying’, why the traditional story the Church tells about Jesus is ‘inaccurate’ and why Jesus and Mary Magdalene ‘were probably married.’
Monday, April 28, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
French Government and DNA Lab speak out about Tomb & Corpse
The French Government agency, Direction Régionale des Affaires Culturelles Languedoc-Roussillon (DRAC-LR) has issued a statement on Ben Hammott’s tomb discovery.
The DRAC Commissioner of archaeology in the region, Jean-Pierre Giraud said, “This is certainly a very intriguing discovery, but it's just too early to tell how important it is. We need to do a full survey of the site to determine the age of the corpse and the other items in the tomb. The archeology department of the DRAC-LR will be carrying out an examination of the site as soon as access has been made possible.”
Bruce Burgess said, “Everyone has been asking about the excavation of the site, but the next step is just working out how to get in. The access into the burial chamber right now is limited to a small air shaft, far too small for Ben, let alone me, to enter. But plans are underway with the DRAC spelios for a full scale survey of the site to determine the best way in. Once that is done, we can get into the chamber and really examine the tomb.”
As most of you know, Ben was able to extract a few hair strands from the skull of the corpse, which underwent testing by the Paleo-DNA Laboratory at Lakehead University in Ontario, Canada. They too have just issued a statement about Ben’s discovery. Renee Praymack Fratpietro, the analyst who worked on the sample said:
“Like most ancient or degraded samples, we knew our best chance for successful results would be to focus our efforts on mitochondrial DNA. Once we obtained that information, we were able to determine a Middle Eastern maternal origin of the individual based on haplotyping information. After we found out where this hair sample came from, we realized the significance of this work.”
Producer, René Barnett, said: “This is a really intriguing result. The haplotype indicates a Middle Eastern ancestry of the corpse, which is rare to find in Europe. We can’t wait until we can get total access to the corpse and then do a full DNA test to determine the age and sex.”
The DRAC Commissioner of archaeology in the region, Jean-Pierre Giraud said, “This is certainly a very intriguing discovery, but it's just too early to tell how important it is. We need to do a full survey of the site to determine the age of the corpse and the other items in the tomb. The archeology department of the DRAC-LR will be carrying out an examination of the site as soon as access has been made possible.”
Bruce Burgess said, “Everyone has been asking about the excavation of the site, but the next step is just working out how to get in. The access into the burial chamber right now is limited to a small air shaft, far too small for Ben, let alone me, to enter. But plans are underway with the DRAC spelios for a full scale survey of the site to determine the best way in. Once that is done, we can get into the chamber and really examine the tomb.”
As most of you know, Ben was able to extract a few hair strands from the skull of the corpse, which underwent testing by the Paleo-DNA Laboratory at Lakehead University in Ontario, Canada. They too have just issued a statement about Ben’s discovery. Renee Praymack Fratpietro, the analyst who worked on the sample said:
“Like most ancient or degraded samples, we knew our best chance for successful results would be to focus our efforts on mitochondrial DNA. Once we obtained that information, we were able to determine a Middle Eastern maternal origin of the individual based on haplotyping information. After we found out where this hair sample came from, we realized the significance of this work.”
Producer, René Barnett, said: “This is a really intriguing result. The haplotype indicates a Middle Eastern ancestry of the corpse, which is rare to find in Europe. We can’t wait until we can get total access to the corpse and then do a full DNA test to determine the age and sex.”
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Bloodline to premiere in New York City & Los Angeles
Welcome to our new look website…created by Rob Flynn, known for his VFX work for Disney, Warner Bros and Sony.
The new Bloodline trailer was cut by Michael Horvitz, who worked on trailers for Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Blade.
The music you can hear is from our original score composed by the award winning composer, Miriam Cutler, known for her work on Thin, Amy's Orgasm, The Ghosts of Abu Ghraib, and the Terry Gilliam/Johnny Depp film Lost in La Mancha.
Also, see our new blog where you will be hearing from us as well as special guest bloggers and invited to comment; a new Screening Room, full of exclusive, never-seen-before footage ; and lot’s more.
We can now officially announce that Bloodline is being released on May 9th in New York City at the Village East, a week later, May 16th in Los Angeles at the Laemmle Sunset 5, and then across the US after that. Theater details can be accessed above.
Rather than an all-out release in week one, we have decided upon a ‘slow burn’ strategy that has worked well with other controversial documentaries in the past like What the Bleep Do We Know? and Super Size Me. The plan is to open in two major US markets first, build momentum, then open wider, in more screens, as each week goes by.
We will be marketing Bloodline as aggressively as we can, but we need, and appreciate, all the help we can get. A new section called ‘Get Involved’ will include posters, flyers, banners, screensavers which can be downloaded to help you help us spread the word, as well as special Bloodline items for purchase, like T-shirts, books, and more.
We will also be announcing details of Bloodline the radio show very shortly, which will be available to 40 million homes across the USA, and globally via the internet and satellite. Stay tuned for the launch date.
For those of you around the world, our distribution and sales team is working on releases in all major markets around the globe, both in cinemas, on television and on DVD.
Keep checking back here for regular updates.
The new Bloodline trailer was cut by Michael Horvitz, who worked on trailers for Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Blade.
The music you can hear is from our original score composed by the award winning composer, Miriam Cutler, known for her work on Thin, Amy's Orgasm, The Ghosts of Abu Ghraib, and the Terry Gilliam/Johnny Depp film Lost in La Mancha.
Also, see our new blog where you will be hearing from us as well as special guest bloggers and invited to comment; a new Screening Room, full of exclusive, never-seen-before footage ; and lot’s more.
We can now officially announce that Bloodline is being released on May 9th in New York City at the Village East, a week later, May 16th in Los Angeles at the Laemmle Sunset 5, and then across the US after that. Theater details can be accessed above.
Rather than an all-out release in week one, we have decided upon a ‘slow burn’ strategy that has worked well with other controversial documentaries in the past like What the Bleep Do We Know? and Super Size Me. The plan is to open in two major US markets first, build momentum, then open wider, in more screens, as each week goes by.
We will be marketing Bloodline as aggressively as we can, but we need, and appreciate, all the help we can get. A new section called ‘Get Involved’ will include posters, flyers, banners, screensavers which can be downloaded to help you help us spread the word, as well as special Bloodline items for purchase, like T-shirts, books, and more.
We will also be announcing details of Bloodline the radio show very shortly, which will be available to 40 million homes across the USA, and globally via the internet and satellite. Stay tuned for the launch date.
For those of you around the world, our distribution and sales team is working on releases in all major markets around the globe, both in cinemas, on television and on DVD.
Keep checking back here for regular updates.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Bloodline set for Spring ‘08 release
Finally, the news so many of you have been asking! We have signed a deal with a studio in Los Angeles, who have confirmed that Bloodline will come out in cinemas this Spring. We will post details of where and when on the site in a couple of weeks, so stay in touch. If you have not done so already, please register on this site for email notices about this and other Bloodline news and events.
In the meantime, the work continues as the team pursues analysis on some of their findings.
In the meantime, the work continues as the team pursues analysis on some of their findings.
Hand-writing expert Confirms Hammott’s clues were written by Sauniere
Ben Hammott, (www.benhammott.com) along with author Rat Scabies (www.ratscabies.com)and Rennes researcher Andrew Gough of the Arcadia website (www.andrewgough.com) met with handwriting expert Emma Bache in London before Christmas for her analysis of the written clues that were inside the bottles Ben had discovered.
Ben Hammott, Rat Scabies and Emma Bache
Previously Emma had been approched by Rat Scabies to do analysis on Sauniere’s writing for his book Rat Scabies and the Holy Grail.
Ben brought some known samples of Sauniere’s hand-writing to compare alongside the clues.
Comparing the message found in the second bottle, purportedly signed by Sauniere, and another known letter of his, Bache said:
“…yes, these two do look like they were written by the same person. It’s very likely that they were….you've got the same down strokes and certainly the signature is the same...I’d say they were, yes....and given that the text (of message 2) fills the whole page, it’s indicative of someone who was very agitated and determined to get their point across to others...the whole obsessive compulsive nature of his manner is showing more than ever…he wants to get his message across.”
Pressed by Rat Scabies for more about what the writing says about the author’s character, she went on to say,
“I would say that he’s got a form of OCD, not an easy character, very stubborn, learned but very stubborn…strong willpower…and full of angst…the key strokes are heavy indicating that he held the pen strongly.”
Ben also showed Emma a selection of the priest’s signatures, some from the clues and some from other known documents, and asked her to pick the ones she thought were genuine.
After careful analysis, and without knowing which came from which source, she chose the signatures she thought as being genuine. Two of those came from the messages Hammott found.
Ben said :
“This is great news. We now have some expert analysis that these could well have been written by Sauniere. I’ve always said I thought all the clues and the bottles were left by the priest so someone could follow in his footsteps…”
Differences—and similarities—in style and execution can be very subtle for an untrained eye. Rat Scabies explained, “When you first compare Ben’s clues with the priest’s known handwriting, it’s hard to see the similarities, but Emma can look beyond that and analyze minute inflections, key strokes and other signs. She thinks it could be Sauniere.”
Bache, a well known UK graphologist, has worked with BBC Television and Radio as well as many independent programs and stations. Her journalistic work covers most of the UK's major newspapers and a wide range of magazines and publications.
Andrew Gough added
“I have spent some time with Emma and I have a lot of respect for the way she approaches her craft. She is very professional and totally unbiased” said Andrew Gough, adding, “This is a good result for Ben. The importance of the clues was always going to be subject to some examination, so this is a good first step.”
Ben Hammott, Rat Scabies and Emma Bache
Previously Emma had been approched by Rat Scabies to do analysis on Sauniere’s writing for his book Rat Scabies and the Holy Grail.
Ben brought some known samples of Sauniere’s hand-writing to compare alongside the clues.
Comparing the message found in the second bottle, purportedly signed by Sauniere, and another known letter of his, Bache said:
“…yes, these two do look like they were written by the same person. It’s very likely that they were….you've got the same down strokes and certainly the signature is the same...I’d say they were, yes....and given that the text (of message 2) fills the whole page, it’s indicative of someone who was very agitated and determined to get their point across to others...the whole obsessive compulsive nature of his manner is showing more than ever…he wants to get his message across.”
Pressed by Rat Scabies for more about what the writing says about the author’s character, she went on to say,
“I would say that he’s got a form of OCD, not an easy character, very stubborn, learned but very stubborn…strong willpower…and full of angst…the key strokes are heavy indicating that he held the pen strongly.”
Ben also showed Emma a selection of the priest’s signatures, some from the clues and some from other known documents, and asked her to pick the ones she thought were genuine.
After careful analysis, and without knowing which came from which source, she chose the signatures she thought as being genuine. Two of those came from the messages Hammott found.
Ben said :
“This is great news. We now have some expert analysis that these could well have been written by Sauniere. I’ve always said I thought all the clues and the bottles were left by the priest so someone could follow in his footsteps…”
Differences—and similarities—in style and execution can be very subtle for an untrained eye. Rat Scabies explained, “When you first compare Ben’s clues with the priest’s known handwriting, it’s hard to see the similarities, but Emma can look beyond that and analyze minute inflections, key strokes and other signs. She thinks it could be Sauniere.”
Bache, a well known UK graphologist, has worked with BBC Television and Radio as well as many independent programs and stations. Her journalistic work covers most of the UK's major newspapers and a wide range of magazines and publications.
Andrew Gough added
“I have spent some time with Emma and I have a lot of respect for the way she approaches her craft. She is very professional and totally unbiased” said Andrew Gough, adding, “This is a good result for Ben. The importance of the clues was always going to be subject to some examination, so this is a good first step.”
Top Israeli archaeologist dates chest contents to 1st Century
In early December 2007, Ben Hammott and Bruce flew to London and met with leading Israeli archaeologist Dr Gabriel Barkay of Bar Ilan University in Jerusalem. Gaby, as he is known, is one of the world’s most respected authorities on 1st and 2nd Temple period relics and, although they had already been examined and dated by the British Museum, they wanted him to analyze the contents of the wooden chest; namely the cup, the ointment jar, the glass vial and the collection of coins.
Dr Gabriel Barkay and Ben Hammott
Barkay confirmed that all three objects were 100% authentic ancient relics that had originated in or around the 1st century BC in Judaea, possibly Jerusalem.
He confirmed the British Museum’s view that the small pottery vase was an ungenterea or ointment vessel, which was mainly used to fragrance a tomb.
Dr Gabriel Barkay examining the Cup and Vase
Remember that the Serpent Rouge document which is held at the National Library in Paris, mentions ‘the sweet smelling perfume’ coming from ‘the tomb of a lost queen’ called “madeleine’.
3 Aries
In my difficult pilgrimage I was trying to hack my way through the dense vegetation of the woods with my sword. I wanted to reach the abode of the sleeping beauty in whom some poets can see the queen of a lost kingdom. Desperate to find the way, I was aided by the parchments of my friend, being for me like Ariadne's thread.
7 Leo
The scent of the perfume, whom I wish to liberate, which fills her tomb, , mounts upwards towards me. Long ago she was named Isis, queen of the benevolent spring, come to me all COME TO ME ALL YOU WHO LABOUR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN AND I WILL COMFORT YOU. Others knew her as MAGDALENE with the celebrated vase of healing balm. The initiates knew her true name: OUR LADY OF THE CROSSES.
Dr Barkay also said that the small glass vial was known as an alabastra which was early roman glass imitating alabaster. Inside was the small piece of rolled parchment. Of course Mary Magdalene is often depicted with an alabaster jar or vase.
The Glass Vial
Again, concurring with the analysis from the British Museum, Dr Barkay identified coins that dated back to 1st century BC, through to 1st century AD at the time of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, down to the 5th century in Constantinople, right through to a coin from the Crusades in the 12th century. There were 30 coins in total.
Close up of one of the coins showing both sides
(See images of some of the other coins below)
So now we know, thanks to the British Museum and Dr Barkay, that the objects are 100% genuine. But the question is, how did they find their way from 1st century Judea into this chest buried in a cave across the valley from Rennes-le-Chateau?
And why did the clue, possibly written by Sauniere, call them the ‘cup of Jesus and Mary’ & ‘the anointing jar’ ?
Dr Barkay said :
“It’s very interesting. I’m very happy that I saw it with my own eyes….it is possible, it would be not out of the question that artifacts excavated by the Templars in Palestine or even in Temple Mount would find a way to Europe. The finds in this chest are really intriguing and it is really something that inflames the imagination. But whether it is connected to the historical Jesus or not, time will tell…”
Dr Gabriel Barkay and Ben Hammott
Barkay confirmed that all three objects were 100% authentic ancient relics that had originated in or around the 1st century BC in Judaea, possibly Jerusalem.
He confirmed the British Museum’s view that the small pottery vase was an ungenterea or ointment vessel, which was mainly used to fragrance a tomb.
Dr Gabriel Barkay examining the Cup and Vase
Remember that the Serpent Rouge document which is held at the National Library in Paris, mentions ‘the sweet smelling perfume’ coming from ‘the tomb of a lost queen’ called “madeleine’.
3 Aries
In my difficult pilgrimage I was trying to hack my way through the dense vegetation of the woods with my sword. I wanted to reach the abode of the sleeping beauty in whom some poets can see the queen of a lost kingdom. Desperate to find the way, I was aided by the parchments of my friend, being for me like Ariadne's thread.
7 Leo
The scent of the perfume, whom I wish to liberate, which fills her tomb, , mounts upwards towards me. Long ago she was named Isis, queen of the benevolent spring, come to me all COME TO ME ALL YOU WHO LABOUR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN AND I WILL COMFORT YOU. Others knew her as MAGDALENE with the celebrated vase of healing balm. The initiates knew her true name: OUR LADY OF THE CROSSES.
Dr Barkay also said that the small glass vial was known as an alabastra which was early roman glass imitating alabaster. Inside was the small piece of rolled parchment. Of course Mary Magdalene is often depicted with an alabaster jar or vase.
The Glass Vial
Again, concurring with the analysis from the British Museum, Dr Barkay identified coins that dated back to 1st century BC, through to 1st century AD at the time of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, down to the 5th century in Constantinople, right through to a coin from the Crusades in the 12th century. There were 30 coins in total.
Close up of one of the coins showing both sides
(See images of some of the other coins below)
So now we know, thanks to the British Museum and Dr Barkay, that the objects are 100% genuine. But the question is, how did they find their way from 1st century Judea into this chest buried in a cave across the valley from Rennes-le-Chateau?
And why did the clue, possibly written by Sauniere, call them the ‘cup of Jesus and Mary’ & ‘the anointing jar’ ?
Dr Barkay said :
“It’s very interesting. I’m very happy that I saw it with my own eyes….it is possible, it would be not out of the question that artifacts excavated by the Templars in Palestine or even in Temple Mount would find a way to Europe. The finds in this chest are really intriguing and it is really something that inflames the imagination. But whether it is connected to the historical Jesus or not, time will tell…”
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The Chest Coins - A brief description
The coins discovered in the old buried chest numbered thirty and some had deteriorated to such an extent they can not be identified, others though had survived their incarceration in better condition and after cleaning some of these were identified. The coins date from 100BC all the way through to the 12th Century, many of which were in circulation in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
15 of the better condition coins after cleaning
The coins seem to be telling a story, though with many of the coins unidentifiable we may never know their full meaning. With there being 30 coins in the chest, and although they are not silver, we can not help but link them to the 30 coins mentioned in the bible.
Judas' 30 Pieces of Silver - Matthew 26:14-15
"Then one of the 12, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, 'What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?' And they covenanted with him for 30 pieces of silver."
WIDOW MITES
The coins include those coins used by the poor widow referred to in scripture and on which Jesus comments:
Luke 21:1-4
1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
Widow Mites showing both sides
Bronze Prutah, Obverse BASILEWS ALEXANDROU (King Alexander) around anchor; reverse eight ray star (or wheel) surrounded by diadem, Hebrew inscription “Yehonatan the king” between the rays.
The ANCHOR: The anchor was adopted from the Seleucids, who used it to symbolize their naval strength. Anchors are depicted upside down, as they would be seen hung on the side of a boat ready for use.
The STAR (Wheel): The star or star with diadem symbolizes heaven. Some prutah mites stars look more like wheels, and there is some debate as to whether that was meant to be a wheel or a star.
There was also a coin dating from the Crusader period.
CRUSADE COIN
BILLON SILVER DENIER OF THE LOCAL CRUSADER AREA
COMMANDER ANTIOCH-BOEMUND 3rd or 4th.
1149AD -1233 AD
Crusader.Principality of Antioch.
Bohemond III or IV c.1149AD-1233AD Bi.Denier.
BOAMANDVS, helmeted bust left, crescent in front star behind.
These coins were commonly used to pay the knights during the crusades.
MARCUS AMBIBULUS COIN
Marcus Ambibulus prefect under Augustus 9 A.D. - 12 A.D.
Minted at the approximate time that Jesus visited the Temple at age 12
Head of barley curved right; reverse palm tree with two bunches of dates
The palm is a date palm and this tree was a symbol of judea where these palms grew in great abundance. The palm also symbolised abundance and plenty, dignity, royal honour, jubilation and victory, and was used in religious processions.
In 6 AD, Herod Archelaus, son of Herod the Great, was deposed and banished to Gaul by Augustus. Archelaus' part of his father's kingdom (including Judea, Samaria, Idumea and Archelais) was (except for Archelais) organized as a Roman Procuratorial Province.
The coins of Herod Antipas were generally struck using poor metal alloys and consequently coins of his in this condition are extremely rare. HEROD ANTIPAS was the son of Herod the Great who became ruler of Galilee. He built the city of Tiberias as his capital. This is the Herod who was condemned by John the Baptist and later had John killed according to the Bible.
15 of the better condition coins after cleaning
The coins seem to be telling a story, though with many of the coins unidentifiable we may never know their full meaning. With there being 30 coins in the chest, and although they are not silver, we can not help but link them to the 30 coins mentioned in the bible.
Judas' 30 Pieces of Silver - Matthew 26:14-15
"Then one of the 12, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, 'What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?' And they covenanted with him for 30 pieces of silver."
WIDOW MITES
The coins include those coins used by the poor widow referred to in scripture and on which Jesus comments:
Luke 21:1-4
1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
Widow Mites showing both sides
Bronze Prutah, Obverse BASILEWS ALEXANDROU (King Alexander) around anchor; reverse eight ray star (or wheel) surrounded by diadem, Hebrew inscription “Yehonatan the king” between the rays.
The ANCHOR: The anchor was adopted from the Seleucids, who used it to symbolize their naval strength. Anchors are depicted upside down, as they would be seen hung on the side of a boat ready for use.
The STAR (Wheel): The star or star with diadem symbolizes heaven. Some prutah mites stars look more like wheels, and there is some debate as to whether that was meant to be a wheel or a star.
There was also a coin dating from the Crusader period.
CRUSADE COIN
BILLON SILVER DENIER OF THE LOCAL CRUSADER AREA
COMMANDER ANTIOCH-BOEMUND 3rd or 4th.
1149AD -1233 AD
Crusader.Principality of Antioch.
Bohemond III or IV c.1149AD-1233AD Bi.Denier.
BOAMANDVS, helmeted bust left, crescent in front star behind.
These coins were commonly used to pay the knights during the crusades.
MARCUS AMBIBULUS COIN
Marcus Ambibulus prefect under Augustus 9 A.D. - 12 A.D.
Minted at the approximate time that Jesus visited the Temple at age 12
Head of barley curved right; reverse palm tree with two bunches of dates
The palm is a date palm and this tree was a symbol of judea where these palms grew in great abundance. The palm also symbolised abundance and plenty, dignity, royal honour, jubilation and victory, and was used in religious processions.
In 6 AD, Herod Archelaus, son of Herod the Great, was deposed and banished to Gaul by Augustus. Archelaus' part of his father's kingdom (including Judea, Samaria, Idumea and Archelais) was (except for Archelais) organized as a Roman Procuratorial Province.
The coins of Herod Antipas were generally struck using poor metal alloys and consequently coins of his in this condition are extremely rare. HEROD ANTIPAS was the son of Herod the Great who became ruler of Galilee. He built the city of Tiberias as his capital. This is the Herod who was condemned by John the Baptist and later had John killed according to the Bible.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
