Ancient Beit She’an (Nysa-Scythopolis) was a prominent city strategically located at the intersection of the Jordan Valley and the Jezreel Valley. Blessed with abundant springs and fertile soil, it flourished in the Roman period and was the capital of Provincia Palaestina Secunda during the Byzantine period. Since the 1980s, extensive archaeological excavations have uncovered much of the Roman-Byzantine city center, now preserved as a popular Israeli national park.

The Sigma Complex: An Architectural Mystery

Among the most intriguing discoveries made in ancient Beit Shean is a distinctive semicircular complex situated between Procopius Street and the eastern bathhouse. Named “Sigma” due to its resemblance to the Byzantine letter, its name and foundation in the early 6^th century CE is documented by two identical dedicatory inscriptions:

The Sigma Foundation Inscription. (c) Danny Herman

“In good fortune, Theosobius son of Theosobius from Amisos in Helenopontus province [= in today’s northern Turkey], governor of Palestine Secunda, built this Sigma from its foundations in year 570, indiction 15 [=506/7 CE], under the supervision of Silvanus, count and city leader.”

The complex’s distinctive layout featured 16 small chambers (approximately 6 by 9 feet each) arranged around a central courtyard. Archaeological evidence reveals that many rooms contained stone beds and discrete rear entrances. Several chambers were adorned with mosaic floors, including a notable depiction of Tyche, the city goddess, holding a cornucopia and wearing a crown symbolizing the city walls.

Erotic Inscriptions

The most compelling evidence for the complex’s function comes from several Greek inscriptions preserved in the mosaic floors. These texts leave little doubt about the nature of activities conducted within: 

“Radiant to the eyes, I overflow with desire: the Graces come laughing before our gates” 

“The Muses and Graces dwell here with the Cypriote [=Aphrodite] and Dionysus; and you remove any concerns from your heart”

“This path leads to desire and pleasure of love”

“This hall Megas adorned for friends, so they might enjoy all night with kind-hearted girls”

The last inscription likely refers to Flavius Megas, the contemporary governor of Palaestina Secunda, suggesting official involvement in the establishment’s operation.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Students suggesting ancient poses at ancient Beit-Shean’s Sigma during a tour of the site 🙂 (c) Danny Herman

The Sigma complex provides remarkable insights into urban life in Byzantine Palestine. While Roman-era brothels are well documented, particularly in Pompeii, the official sanctioning of such an establishment during the Christian Byzantine period is noteworthy. The involvement of provincial governors in its construction and operation suggests these activities were not merely tolerated but officially recognized.

The complex also illuminates the religious and cultural landscape of Byzantine Beit She’an. Despite Christianity’s dominance in the empire, the city center remained remarkably secular. No churches were built in the urban core, while pagan monuments continued to stand alongside two large public bathhouses. The inscriptions’ references to pagan deities like Aphrodite and Dionysus, alongside explicit erotic content, indicate a significant degree of religious and cultural continuity with the Roman period.

Some Final Thoughts

The Sigma complex offers valuable evidence for understanding the complex interplay between religious practice and social life in Beit Shean in late antiquity. It further enhances the understanding that despite the empire’s official Christianity, many aspects of Greco-Roman urban culture continued to flourish well into the 6th century CE.