Ancient Jerusalem in Pictures
By: Mario Habashy/Arab America Contributing Writer
The city of Jerusalem has seen many conquerors and exhibited many identities in its extensive history. In the recent news, Jerusalem appears to be entering a new identity crisis. The rich history of Jerusalem provides a context for the current worldwide dilemma.
The Beginnings of Jerusalem:
Image: Naunakhte – Berlin, SMB-PK, Egyptian Museum Inv. no. P. 14.517
The first traces of Jerusalem can be found deep within the inner workings of ancient civilizations. What archaeologists have found leads many to conclude that the first settlement of Jerusalem occurred between the period of 4500-3500 BCE. However, the first believed documentation of the city was in 2000 BCE in Middle Kingdom Egyptian Texts.
This period would mark the beginning of something significant and truly great.
Neo Babylonian Era:
Image: The Book of Amos
During the 8th Century BCE, Jerusalem served as the capital of the kingdom of Judah. This period in Jerusalem’s history lasted approximately 400 years and it was an iconic time that was often referred to in biblical contexts.
This period would signify initial developmental progress for Jerusalem.
Hellenistic Era:
Image: IAA archaeologists have unearthed the ruins of the Hellenistic period fortress of Acra, solving one of Jerusalem’s greatest archaeological mysteries. Image credit: Assaf Peretz / Israel Antiquities Authority.
After the conquest of Alexander the Great, Jerusalem was captured by the Greeks. This event ended the period of Persian rule over Jerusalem and led to an attempt to Hellenize Jerusalem which didn’t find favor in the eyes of the Greeks. The people rebelled and Jerusalem was liberated from the control of the Greeks.
This period shows the rich history of Jerusalem.
Roman Era:
Image: Madaba street map.
Herod The Great besieged Jerusalem, making it a Roman entity. It was during this time period when Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem and has lived in Nazareth and Jerusalem. It was then when Jerusalem has heightened the development of coins and it would become known as the “most famous by far of the Eastern cities.” Once again, Jerusalem didn’t find it pleasurable to be under the Roman power, which would lead to a revolt that would be known as the “Great Revolt.”
This period of the Roman Era continues to make evident the rich history of Jerusalem.
Abbasid Caliphate:
Between the 8th and the 10th Centuries, the city of Jerusalem was under the control of the Abbasid empire, one of the most significant Islamic empires in history. For a time, Jerusalem saw great prosperity under the hands of the Abbasids, even earning the name “the most fertile province of Palestine.” It was in this period and much earlier that the Palestinian identity has characterized the face of that land.
This period would highlight the initial Islamic interference and conflict in Jerusalem.
Early Ottoman Period:
Image: Ottoman troops and Palestinians in Da’wud Street, Jerusalem
In the 16th Century, Jerusalem was captured by the Ottoman Empire under Suleiman The Magnificent. One significant mark that was left by this era was the establishment of one Hurva Synagogue, the main Jerusalem synagogue. The Ottoman period, much like the other periods, would come to an end via a revolt- to be specific: the Naqib al-Ashraf Revolt.
In this period, the Islamic influence in Jerusalem would continue to shake up the foundation of the deeply rooted city.
British Mandate Period:
Image: The Ottoman surrender of Jerusalem to the British, 9 December 1917
After the British defeated the Ottoman during World War I, Egyptian General Edmund Allenby entered and captured Jerusalem. This period of Jerusalem’s subordination would be marked by great hostility between the nationalistic Arabs and the tyrannical British.
In this period, the foreign influence in Jerusalem is clear, but still the people were Palestinians.
Partition between Israel and Jordan
In 1948, the Arab-Israeli war took place and Jerusalem becomes divided. This partition would lead to massive displacement of Arab Palestinian people that would lead to a growing sense of resentment across Jerusalem.
This period inches towards the modern era and helps explain the current global tensions with Jerusalem.
Jerusalem Now:
Image: Palestinian women in Gaza City protest against the US plan to move its embassy to Jerusalem [Mohammed Salem/Reuters]
During the Six-Day war in 1967, Jerusalem was captured by Israel. The problem; however, is that Jerusalem has had such a long history of foreign rule that the 70 or so years of Israeli rule is not recognized by a global consensus.
The events that occurred in the last century regarding Jerusalem’s control appear to have lingering effects. The United States’ decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will have such profound impacts that only time can tell how it will unfold.