Page 48 - Advanced Bible Geography ebook
P. 48
In Jerusalem, Herod built new (and larger) city walls, constructed the
Antonia Fortress (named after Mark Antony) and the Temple itself.
Jewish resentment to Herod is reflected by the way Jewish historians
refer to Herod’s Temple as a “remodeled” version of the temple
Zerubbabel built during the era of Ezra and Nehemiah. In reality, it was a
completely new Temple that far surpassed the smaller temple he
replaced. Herod enlarged the Temple Mount by 50 percent. The Temple
Mount is an artificial platform built upon the rocky peak of Jerusalem’s
hills. By Jewish tradition, this is “Mount Moriah.”
There were other building projects in Jerusalem, including a new market,
amphitheater, theater, a structure for the Sanhedrin and his own royal
palace. Archaeologists are still discovering the ruins of what Herod built
in Jerusalem.
Herod also built palaces, fortresses, markets, athletic stadiums and at
least one entire city throughout Israel. Some of his building projects were
completed in other countries. Herod built massive homes for himself in
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