Jerusalem - Exam 1 Key Terms

Fertile Crescent

boomerang-shaped region in the Middle East. Considered the “Cradle of Civilization,” as it was the birthplace of agriculture, writing, the wheel, and the domestication of animals.

Kidron Valley

A natural ravine in Jerusalem, located between the Mount of Olives and the Temple Mount. Is the easternmost valley and contains the Gihon Spring.

Gihon Spring

Natural water source in the City of David, acted as Jerusalem’s primary water source for thousands of years and was important to the cities founding and survivial.

Hinnom Valley

“Hell valley,” where children were sacrificed to pagan gods. Located south of Jerusalem

Urusalim

Earliest known name for Jerusalem. Originating in the Canaanite period, first appeared in the Tell-el-Amarna letters

Egyptian Execration Texts

Enemies of the Pharaoh’s enemies would be inscribed on pottery and then ritually broken in hopes of destroying those named. It contains some of the earliest known references to Rushalimum (Jerusalem).

Yaquir-Ammu

A ruler of Jerusalem mentioned in the Egyptian Execration Texts.

El-Amarna Tablets

A collection of over 300 Akkadian cuneiform tablets, consisting primarily of diplomatic correspondence between the Pharoah of Egypt and their regional rulers. The tablets mention Jerusalem’s leader Abdu-Heba as appealing to the Pharoah for help against invaders.

Abdu-Heba

King of Jerusalem, who ruled under Egyptian control. His requests for military aid against attackers are contained in the El-Amarna Tablets.

Sea Peoples

A loose confederation of maritime peoples (mostly Greeks) who raided the Mediterranean in the Late Bronze age. Caused the late bronze age collapse. Among them were groups like the Philistines, whose attacks on Canaanite Jerusalem forced society to develop into a more centralized structure.

Jebus

Canaanite name for the city conquered by King David that would eventually become Jerusalem. 

Stepped Stone Structure

An 60-foot high stone structure built in terraces on the eastern slope of the City of David. May have been a fortress or palace.

Shalem

early caanonite name for Jerusalem meaning “city of peace”

Melchizedek

mysterious biblical figure, known as both the King of Salem (Jerusalem) and a priest of God who met Abraham after his victory and received a tithe.

City of David

The earliest urban core of Jerusalem, created after David captured the fortress of Zion and made it his capital.

Tsinor

an ancient shaft/pipe

Original Temple Mount Theory

Theory that argues that ancient Jerusalem began not on the Eastern and Southeastern hull but instead on the part of the hill covered by the Harm al Sharif, the theory has gained some support but still lacks evidence. 

King Hiram of Tyre

Phoenician ruler who formed a crucial alliance with King David and King Solomon by supplying materials and skilled artisans for the construction of David’s palace and the Temple. 

Long-Axis Temple

the layout of ancient temples in Jerusalem. Includes a structure oriented with a main entrance with internal chambers within it leading to an inner sanctuary. Both the first and second temples were built in this style.

Tel Tayinat

An ancient archeological site in Turkey, contained a temple similar to the description of Solomon’s temple.

Ain Dara

a temple in modern day Syria similar in description to Solomon’s temple

Tel Motza

An archaeological site containing an Iron Age temple complex that functioned alongside the first temple. Shows other religious activity outside of Jerusalem. 

Bet David

“House of David,” David’s dynasty as king of Jerusalem and his decendents

Divided Monarchy

A historical period in which Isreal split into two kingdoms, Isreal (northern) and Judah (southern). Bagan following Soloman’s reign

Hezekiah’s Tunnel

Ancient water tunnel in the City of David carved from solid rock. Channeled water from the Gihon Spring into the Pool of Siloam, protecting Jerusalem’s water supply from the invading Assyrians

Siloam Inscription

An ancient Hebrew inscription found in Hezekiah’s tunnel describes the tunnel’s completion.

Lachish

a caanite city in the Shepelah (“lowlands of Judea”) region of canaan on the south bank of the Lakhish River. Guarded important routes to Egypt.

Zion Theology

a belief that mount zion in unconquerable because God will always protect it. Started with Hezzekiah,

Sennacherib

Assyrian king, known for his military campaigns against Judea. Failed to capture Jerusalem after putting them an intense siege. His reasons for failure are widely debated

Proto-Aeolic Capital

An anchient near east stone capital featuring two stylized palmette volutes extending from a central triangular area. Commonly found in monumental sites within Jerusalem

Nebuchadnezzar

Neo-Babylonian king who conquered Judea, destr9oyed the Temple, and deported the city’s Jews to Babylon.

Manasseh

Son of Hezzekiah, King of Ancient Judea who reigned for 55 years, known for idolatry and political corruption that led to a period of moral decline. According to the bible he was the worst leader of Jerusalem and for the destruction of the temple

Josiah

King of Judea, known for destroying pagan cults and rebuilding Jerusalem’s temple after discovering the Book of the Law — the end of idolatry

Pharaoh Necco II

King of Egypt who killed Josiah, creating a period of egyptian dominance and influence over the city

Neo-Babylonian Empire

the final Mesopotamian empire, known for the destruction of Jerusalem and the First temple

Ketef Hinnom Amulets

Two small silver scrolls containing the earliest known copies of biblical scripture. Found at the a funerary site near Jerusalem.

House of Ahiel

A four-room house located in Jerusalem’s City of David, notable for its luxurious features (toilet!!). Was likely destroyed during the Babylonian conquest.

Cyrus the Great

Founder of the Achaemiend Persian Empire, who after conquering Babylon issued a decree that allowed the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple. 

Cyrus Cylinder

An inscribed clay artifact written by Cyrus the Great that sent displaced Jews home and allowed them to rebuild their holy sites

Sheshbazzar

The person Cyrus entrusts to help oversee the reconstruction of Jerusalem’s Temple

Ezra

Jewish priest who led a group of exiles back to Jerusalem and helped restore law, helped establish the Torah as the central guide to Jewish life

Nahemiah

high-ranking official who oversaw the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and the temple

Alexander the Great

Macedonian king who conquered Jerusalem and initiated the Hellenistic period.

Diodochi

Alexander the Great’s generals who fought to control his empire after his death. Jerusalem became a contested territory between them

Selecuids

a Greek-Macedonian dynasty that ruled after Alexander the Great’s death, their attempts to impose Hellenistic culture led to the Maccabean Revolt and a quarter century of Jewish resistance that resulted in Judea’s independence.

Ptolomies

A Greek-Macedonian dynasty that ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great’s death. Under their rule, some Jews were taken to Alexandria where they formed a large community. Had control over Jerusalem first

Antiochus IV

Hellenistic king of the Seleucid empire, who started the Maccabean Revolt by outlawing Jewish practices and attempting a period of forced Hellenization.

Oniah III

High Priest during the second temple period, known for piety and opposition to Hellenization. 

Jason

Hellenistic Jewish high priest who bought office from Antiochus IV (should have gone to his brother Onias III), enthusiastically introduced Greek customs (gyms) which were in direct opposition of Jewish practices

Acra

a Greek-built Hellenistic fortress built by Antiochus IV to suppress the Jewish people and control the Temple Mount

Mattathias

Jewish priest who instigated the Maccabean Revolt, led to the establishment of the Hasmonean dynasty

Judah haMaccabi

Jewish military leader who led the Maccabean Revolt, the son of Mattathias who took control following his death. His military genius led to the liberation of Jerusalem and tyhe rededication or the Temple — commemorated by the festival of Hanukkah

Simon the Great

Son of Mattathias and the first Hasmonaean ruler. successfully established Jewish independence, making them a self-governing entity.

John Hyrcanus

Hasmonaean ruler and high priest who secured Judea’s independence, expanded the territory, and established ties with Rome.

Aristobulus I

First Hasmonean ruler of Judea, established a monarchy after the Maccabean Revolt

Herod the Great

Roman backed king of Judea, known for his many building projects and for rebuilding the secound temple

Augustus

Roman emperor who established pax romana, allowed Jerusalem to maintain its customs and practices

Herodian masonry

colossal, precise cut technique used by Herod the Great in construction projects. Still standing today

Vespasian

Roman Emperor who surpr4ssed the first Jewish-Roman War. Used slaves from Jerusalem and gold from the temple to build the coliseum

Titus

Roman Emperor and General of the roman army that captured and destroyed Jerusalem, known for his destruction and pillaging of the second temple

Roman Aquila Standard

symbol of the roman army, includes and eagle

Arch of Titus

a triumphal arch built in Rome to commemorate Titus’ victory over Jerusalem

Shimon bar Koseba

Leader of the Bar Kokhba revolt, a major Jewish uprising against the Roman Empire

Hadrian

Roman Emporer who rebuilt Jerusalem as “Aelia Capitolina” and bannished Jews from living there

Aelia Capitolina

name given to Jerusalem when it was a Roman colony