Hasmonean Baris

Coordinates: 31°46′48″N 35°14′05″E / 31.78000°N 35.23472°E / 31.78000; 35.23472
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Jerusalem c. 37 BCE, modern city walls are in blue

The Hasmonean Baris was a citadel constructed north of

Hasmonean
period.

History

Nehemiah refers to a "birah" on or adjacent to the Temple Mount.[1] This may have been the predecessor or identical to the Hellenistic fortress mentioned in the Letter of Aristeas.[2] It is unclear whether this structure was demolished under the Seleucids or during the Maccabean revolt.

The Baris was rebuilt or repurposed as a fortress-residence under the Hasmoneans during the late 2nd century BCE. Little is known of its form except that it was rectangular and possessed several high towers, one of which was known as "Straton's Tower". The

Pompey the Great during his Siege of Jerusalem in 63 BCE, during which one of its towers was felled by Roman siege engines.[3][4] Under Herod the Great, the Hasmonean Baris underwent renovation or reconstruction, and it was renamed Antonia in honor of his patron Mark Antony.[5][6]

Archaeology

Some remains north of the Temple Mount have been tentatively identified with the Hasmonean Baris.

Wakf which administers the area, current evidence does not allow for pinning down the exact extent and boundaries of the structure.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ Nehemiah II:8, VII:2.
  2. ^ The Letter of Aristeas, 100. Translation by R. H. Charles
  3. ^ a b Wightman, Gregory J. (1991). "Temple Fortresses in Jerusalem Part II: The Hasmonean Baris and Herodian Antonia". Bulletin of the Anglo-Israeli Archaeological Society. 10: 7–35.
  4. ^ Josephus, The Wars of the Jews 1:149-151
  5. Wars of the Jews
    , v:4, XXI:1.
  6. Jewish Antiquities
    , XIII:307, XV:409, XVIII:91–94.
  7. ^ Bahat, Daniel. 1994. "The Western Wall Tunnels" in Ancient Jerusalem Revealed, Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society, p. 185.
  8. ISBN 978-0-8276-0750-7

31°46′48″N 35°14′05″E / 31.78000°N 35.23472°E / 31.78000; 35.23472

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