The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites
Richard Stillwell, William L. MacDonald, Marian Holland McAllister, Stillwell, Richard, MacDonald, William L., McAlister, Marian Holland, Ed.

CALLIRRHOE (Uyun es-Sara) Jordan.

The name given to several hot springs on the NE coast of the Dead Sea. In the Roman period medical qualities were ascribed to these waters, and King Herod sought a cure there before his death (Joseph. BJ 1.657; AJ 17.171). Pliny (HN 5.15.72) writes: “On the same side there is a hot spring possessing medical value, the name of which, Callirrhoe, itself proclaims the celebrity of its waters.” The site is marked on the Medaba mosaic map, on which three buildings are seen, a spring house, a nymphaeum, and a house through which a river is flowing. In a recent survey several buildings were observed among which are several pools into which the water of the springs is conveyed by means of channels. Remains of a nymphaeum were also observed.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

A. Strobel, ZDPV 82 (1966) 149-62.

A. NEGEV