Jerusalem: phases of the ancient city walls

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Title

Jerusalem: phases of the ancient city walls

Description

This image shows the growth of Jerusalem's walls and fortifications over the centuries of the Second Temple period (516BCE – 70CE). The first set of walls (in blue) shows the perimeter of the city during Hasmonean rule (second-first century BCE). King Herod added the Second Wall (Green) in late first century BCE to accommodate the extension of the city and the new neighborhood he added in the north. Note that the northern line of this wall and the way it connect to the fortress Antonia is disputed by modern scholars and the map shows a second alternative with the broken green line. The historian Josephus attributes the Third Wall (Red) to Herod Agrippa (41-44CE) and claims it was never really completed before the eruption of the great Revolt (in 66CE). Here too, the map shows two options for the northern line of this wall, one as suggested by the archaeologists Sukenik (at the top of the picture), and an alternative line that follows the walls of the current Old City. The present Old City Wall (Gray) was built by the Ottoman ruler Suleiman the Magnificent, completed in 1541 CE, and still stands to this day.

Location Modern Country

Israel/Palestine

Location City

Jerusalem

Geolocation