13.1 Topography and urban development of Jerusalem

Jerusalem's ancient topography shaped its development. The City of David, built on a ridge between valleys, was the original settlement. Water sources like the Gihon Spring were crucial. The Temple Mount, an expanded platform on Mount Moriah, became a religious center.

Jerusalem's water systems were innovative. Hezekiah's Tunnel brought water from the Gihon Spring to the Siloam Pool. Later periods saw significant changes. Roman rule rebuilt the city as Aelia Capitolina, while Byzantine Jerusalem became a Christian pilgrimage site.

Ancient Jerusalem

Topography and Valleys

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• City of David, the original settlement of Jerusalem, was built on a narrow ridge bounded by deep valleys
• Ophel, the fortified area of the City of David, was located on the northern end of the ridge
• Hinnom Valley, a steep valley located on the western and southern sides of the City of David, was used for agriculture and burial grounds
• Kidron Valley, a deep valley east of the City of David, separated the city from the Mount of Olives and was used for tombs and agriculture
• Tyropoeon Valley, also known as the "Valley of the Cheesemakers," was a shallow valley that divided the City of David from the Western Hill and was gradually filled in over time

Water Sources

• Gihon Spring, located in the Kidron Valley, was the main water source for the City of David and was accessed through tunnels and shafts
  • The spring was intermittent, flowing several times a day, and was channeled into pools and reservoirs for storage
  • The Warren's Shaft system, dating to the Middle Bronze Age, allowed residents to access the spring from within the city walls

Temple Mount

Location and Significance

• Mount Moriah, according to Jewish tradition, is the site where Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac and is considered a holy site
• Temple Mount, an elevated platform built during the reign of King Herod, expanded the natural mount and served as the location for the Jewish Temples
  • The mount measures approximately 150,000 square meters and is one of the largest man-made platforms in the ancient world
• Western Wall, also known as the "Wailing Wall," is a remnant of the retaining wall of the Second Temple platform and is the holiest prayer site for Jews

Temple Periods

• First Temple Period (ca. 957-586 BCE) saw the construction of Solomon's Temple, which served as the central place of worship for the Israelites until its destruction by the Babylonians
  • The temple was divided into three main areas: the Ulam (porch), Heichal (sanctuary), and Devir (Holy of Holies)
• Second Temple Period (516 BCE-70 CE) began with the rebuilding of the temple under Persian rule and ended with its destruction by the Romans
  • Herod the Great expanded the Temple Mount platform and renovated the Second Temple, adding grandeur and monumentality to the complex

Water Systems

Hezekiah's Tunnel

• "Hezekiah's Tunnel," a 533-meter-long water tunnel, was constructed during the reign of King Hezekiah to bring water from the Gihon Spring to the Siloam Pool
  • The tunnel was carved through solid bedrock using the "cut-and-cover" method, with two teams working from opposite ends and meeting in the middle
  • The Siloam Inscription, found near the tunnel's exit, commemorates its construction and is one of the oldest extant Hebrew inscriptions

Siloam Pool

• Siloam Pool, a rock-cut pool fed by the waters of the Gihon Spring via Hezekiah's Tunnel, served as a major water reservoir for the city
  • The pool was likely used for ritual purification and as a public gathering place
  • The pool is mentioned in the New Testament as the site where Jesus healed a blind man (John 9:1-11)

Later Periods

Roman Jerusalem

• Roman Jerusalem, following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, saw significant changes to the city's layout and infrastructure
  • The city was rebuilt as Aelia Capitolina in the 2nd century CE, with a new street grid, temples, and public buildings
  • The Temple Mount was left in ruins and a temple to Jupiter was built on the site
• The Cardo Maximus, the main north-south street of Roman Jerusalem, was lined with columns and shops and served as the city's commercial center

Byzantine Jerusalem

• Byzantine Jerusalem, following the legalization of Christianity in the 4th century CE, became an important center of Christian pilgrimage and worship
  • The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the site believed to be the location of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, became the focal point of the city
  • The Nea Church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was one of the largest churches in the Byzantine Empire and was likely located on the eastern side of the city
• The Madaba Map, a 6th-century mosaic map found in a church in Madaba, Jordan, depicts Byzantine Jerusalem and its major landmarks, providing valuable insights into the city's topography and architecture during this period