Introduction

chapter 1 Introduction

Chronological and Historical Framework

Prior to the Great Revolt (66–70CE), Jerusalem was a large, thriving Jewish city in the eastern part of the Roman Empire (Fig. 1). It encompassed a considerable area estimated to have been approximately 180–200 hectares in total, with the colossal ritual precinct—the Herodian Temple Mount surmounted by the Jew- ish Temple—overlooking the city. The origins of the Herodian city lay in the ancient historical nucleus of the southeast hill, near the Gihon Spring. From there, the city expanded northward to include the Temple Mount and west- ward across the southwest hill. The First Wall, built in the Hasmonean period (second century BCE) extended around the southwest hill (the Upper City), the Temple Mount, and the southeast hill (Lower City). After its construction, the city continued to expand northward and two lines of wall were constructed even further north (the Second Wall and the Third Wall), enlarging the urban area.1 The archaeological remains of many buildings have been discovered within the Old City of Jerusalem.2 The colossal Temple Mount compound from the Herodian period is still recognizable today. Its walls tower above the modern surface level. At its foot, to the west and the south, wide streets were lined with shops. Close to the walls of the Temple Mount, public ritual baths for the use of pilgrims have been discovered. The Tower of David, preserved to a considerable height in the Citadel, south of Jaffa Gate, is identified as the tower of Phasael or Hippicus that originally lay to the north of Herod’s palace (Jos. BJ, 5:161–175). Palaces, including the Hasmonean palace,3 Herod’s palace,4 and the palace of Queen Helena5 adorned the cityscape. A few remains associated with Herod’s palace have been discovered at the Qishle (the Turkish police station inside Jaffa Gate), south of the Citadel.6 Jerusalem also had munici-

1 The history of Jerusalem during the Second Temple period has been dealt with in detail in several publications. For a comprehensive summary and discussion see Levine 2002 and ref- erences there and below. 2 For a detailed description of the archaeological remains see NEAEHL 2, 5. 3 Josephus, Jewish War 2:426. 4 Josephus, Jewish War 5:176–181. 5 Josephus, Jewish War 5:253, 6:355. 6 Reʾem 2018.

figure 1 Map of Jerusalem at the end of the Second Temple Period NEAEHL 2:718, courtesy of the Israel Exploration Society