Baris

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

( Βάρις , from Chald. בַּרָה , Birah', A Fortress ) , the name attributed by Josephus to two structures. 1. A tower said to have been built by the prophet Daniel at Ecbatana, and described as "a most elegant building, and wonderfully made," remaining in later times, where "they bury the kings of Media, Persia, and Parthia to this day." A Jewish priest is said to have been intrusted with the care of it (Joseph. Ant. 10:11, 7). (See Ecbatana).

2. A palace begun by John Hyrcanus on the mountain of the Temple, and which afterward was used for the residence of the Asmonaean princes. Herod the Great made a citadel of it, which he called Antonia, in honor of his friend Mark Antony (Joseph. Ant. 15:11, 4). (See Antonia).