The city of Jerusalem has a long and complex history, and it’s difficult to pinpoint its exact origins due to the lack of concrete archaeological evidence from its earliest periods. However, it’s generally accepted that the establishment of Jerusalem as a significant settlement dates back to the Early Bronze Age, around 3500-2500 BCE.
Canaan
Jerusalem was originally a Canaanite settlement of dozens to hundreds of settlers. The Canaanites were a group of ancient people who lived in the land of Canaan, an area which includes modern-day israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and parts of Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. Canaanites are the native people of what is called the Levant region.
Jerusalem developed into a walled city during the Middle Bronze Age, around 1800 BCE. As the Jebusites established more permanent tribal camps, the city became known as Jebus and continued as a city in Canaan until around 1000 BCE with a population of less than 3000.
King David Captures Jerusalem
- Event: King David captured the fortified city of Jebus around 1000 BCE using tunnels to gain access.
- Significance: This event marks a significant point in the city’s history as it became the capital of the united Kingdom of israel and Judah.
Expansion:
- Development: David expanded the city, and it became known as the City of David with a population of up to 5000.
- Temple: His son, Solomon, built the First Temple, marking the beginning of the temple period in Jerusalem’s history.
Archaeological Evidence:
- Concrete Evidence: Concrete archaeological evidence from the earliest periods of Jerusalem’s existence is limited.
- Biblical Accounts: Much of what is known comes from biblical accounts, other ancient texts, and more recent archaeological discoveries.
Religious Significance:
- Judaism: Jerusalem is significant in Judaism as the site of the First and Second Temples.
- Christianity: It’s important in Christianity as the city where Jesus was crucified by Rome at the request of the leaders of israel.
- Islam: It’s revered in Islam as the site where Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.
King Solomon Builds a Temple
The First Temple in Jerusalem, also known as Solomon’s Temple, was built during the reign of King Solomon, who was the son of King David. The construction of the temple started around 967 BCE and finished in 959 BCE, according to biblical accounts.
In King Solomon’s era, Jerusalem was a significant city but not particularly large by today’s standards. It had up to 5000 residents in 1000 BCE. It was the capital of the unified Kingdom of israel and a center of worship, politics, and administration.
israel’s Record in Jerusalem 3W-7L-3T
1. David Takes Jerusalem
David is the first King of israel and, using underground tunnels, defeats the Jebusites and claims their city. (Win)
2. Immediate Split of the Kingdom of israel and the Kingdom of Judah:
After the death of King Solomon around 930 BCE, the united Kingdom of israel split into two: the northern Kingdom of israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah, with Jerusalem as its capital. (Tie, but really a Loss for Judaism)
2. Assyrian Conquest (8th Century BCE):
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern Kingdom of israel around 722 BCE, leading to the exile of ten of the twelve tribes of israel, a historical event often referred to as the lost tribes of israel. (Loss)
3. Babylonian Conquest (6th Century BCE):
The Babylonians, led by King Nebuchadnezzar II, conquered the Kingdom of Judah in 586 BCE. The Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem was destroyed, and a significant number of Judeans were exiled to Babylon – an event known as the Babylonian Exile or Captivity. (Loss)
4. Persian Rule (539 BCE):
The Persians, under King Cyrus the Great, conquered Babylon. Cyrus allowed the exiled Jews to return to Judah and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, leading to the Second Temple period. (Assisted Win)
5. Hellenistic and Roman Periods:
The region came under the control of various Hellenistic rulers following the conquests of Alexander the Great. Ultimately, the Roman Empire took control. The Romans appointed Herod the Great as the king of Judea, and he expanded the Second Temple. (Tie)
6. Bar Kokhba Revolt (132-136 CE):
A subsequent Jewish revolt, led by Simon Bar Kokhba, was also crushed by the Romans. Jews were barred from Jerusalem, and the city’s name was changed to Aelia Capitolina. (Loss)
7. Destruction of the Second Temple (70 CE):
A Jewish revolt against Roman rule led to the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE by the Romans. This event initiated a broader Jewish diaspora. (Loss)
8. Roman and Byzantine Periods (70 CE – 638 CE):
After the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE, Jerusalem fell under Roman control. It was later integrated into the Byzantine Empire.
During the Byzantine period, Christianity became the dominant religion, and numerous churches were built, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
9. Early Muslim Period (638 CE – 1099 CE):
In 638 CE, the Muslim Caliphate, under Caliph Omar, captured Jerusalem. The city gained significant Muslim influence, although Christians and Jews were still permitted to live there. (Tie)
The Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque were constructed on the Temple Mount during the Umayyad Caliphate in the 7th century.
10.Crusader Period (1099 CE – 1187 CE):
The First Crusade led to the capture of Jerusalem by the Crusaders in 1099, who massacred many of its Muslim and Jewish inhabitants. (Loss)
Jerusalem became the capital of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, a Crusader state.
11. Ayyubid and Mamluk Periods (1187 CE – 1517 CE):
Saladin, the Muslim leader of the Ayyubid dynasty, recaptured Jerusalem in 1187 after the Battle of Hattin. (Loss)
The city changed hands several times during the subsequent Crusades but remained primarily under Muslim control.
In the 13th century, the Mamluks, based in Egypt, gained control of Jerusalem, under whom the city experienced a period of stability but declined in political importance.
12.Ottoman Period (1517 CE – 1917 CE):
The Ottoman Empire captured Jerusalem in 1517. The city remained under Ottoman rule for the next 400 years. (Loss)
During this period, Jerusalem was a provincial city of modest importance. However, it maintained its religious significance for Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
The city’s population was diverse, with a mix of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities.
The 19th century saw a renewal of interest in Jerusalem from European powers and a resurgence in the city’s Jewish population, partly due to the Zionist movement.
13.British Mandate (1917 CE – 1948 CE):
During World War I, British forces captured Jerusalem in 1917. The city, along with the rest of Palestine, came under British mandate following the war.
The British Mandate period saw increased tensions between Jewish and Arab populations, partly due to conflicting promises made by the British to both groups and the rise of nationalist movements. (Win by Default)
14. “Israeli Mandate” (1948 CE – Current)
The creation of a two-state nation from Palestine to one which includes both israel and Palestine was defaulted by England, who made promises to both sides and failed both sides. As a result, israel was left to handle the job and has, through military occupation, has begun the process to squeeze out Palestine. Oh, and they developed a secret nuclear program to prevent any future losses.
The Result:
Control over Jerusalem and the surrounding area passed through the hands of various empires over the centuries, including the Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Mamluks, Ottomans, British, and israelis.
So, the history of Jerusalem and the surrounding kingdom has been a complex process involving revolts, military defeats, exiles, and changing empires, culminating in a significant Jewish diaspora until the modern era.