The Islamic period of Jerusalem starts in 638 CE when the Jerusalem is captured by the Muslims. The faith of Islam is divided into two sects: Shiites and Sunni. The Shiites are a kinship based caliphate and the Sunni people are a tradition-based caliphate. Initially, the Muslims did not allow Jewish settlement but they later allowed Jews to move back into the city.
The Islamic faith is made up of five traditions. One of the main traditions was that devote Muslims must pray five times a day towards Mecca. The prayer is directed at the Kaabam, a cube shaped, marble base. The kaaba used to contain hundreds of idols pre-Muhammad, but Muhammad removed the false idols. The removals of the false idols caused massive controversy and this action cemented the status of Muhammad in Islam.
One interesting thing to note is that one prayer made in Mecca is worth 100,000 elsewhere, a prayer made in Medina is worth 1,000 elsewhere, and a prayer made is Jerusalem is worth 500 elsewhere. This tells us that these places had a significant role in the growth of Islam.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Week 8:Tuesday
Herod died in 4CE. This period of Roman rule was characterized by Roman procurator and an ineffective government. Archelaus was one of the key figures after the death of was the ethnarch of Judah. He was highly ineffective and he ruled for less than 10 years. There were also two other tetrarch, Herod Antipas and Herod Phillip. Both of those rulers were more effective because they control less area and had fewer internal problems.
The coins minted during this period reflect the state of the society. After the defeat of Jerusalem by the Romans, the coins consisted of an image of Jerusalem. Propaganda of a king can also be achieved through minting. Having the image of a king on a coin can enhance the power of the king. The reason behind this is because people will look at the image of the king every time they buy something.
The coins minted during this period reflect the state of the society. After the defeat of Jerusalem by the Romans, the coins consisted of an image of Jerusalem. Propaganda of a king can also be achieved through minting. Having the image of a king on a coin can enhance the power of the king. The reason behind this is because people will look at the image of the king every time they buy something.
Week 7: Thursday
During the Byzantine period, a schism emerged between Judaism and Christianity. Jerusalem acted as a symbolic part of both religions. There were many NT apocalypses about Jerusalem, such as the temple came down and Luke 21: 20-24 predicted the future of Jerusalem. However, predictions in the Bible might have been written after the fact, and that is a question that divides many archaeologists.
Christianity also explained massive growth during this period. The Byzantine rulers of Jerusalem used Christianity to unify the kingdom. The Edict of Milan legalizes Christianity. Constantine had a massive influence on orthodox Christianity. One effect was the first Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the new Axis Mundi. However, it is still important to remember to there was never an official religion in Jerusalem, and the leaders legalized Christianity to prevent religion from dividing the kingdom.
Christianity also explained massive growth during this period. The Byzantine rulers of Jerusalem used Christianity to unify the kingdom. The Edict of Milan legalizes Christianity. Constantine had a massive influence on orthodox Christianity. One effect was the first Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the new Axis Mundi. However, it is still important to remember to there was never an official religion in Jerusalem, and the leaders legalized Christianity to prevent religion from dividing the kingdom.
Tuesday: Week 7
Roman rule in Jerusalem started in 63 BCE. Herod the great was one of the major kings during this period and tried to balance Jewish interests with Roman interests. His legacy was defined by the massive building projects, including the Herodian temple, Robinson's arch, and the triple gate. The Jewish people had jobs because there were always building projects that cemented the legacy of Herod. My personal opinion of Herod is that he was a dictator, but some that did just enough for the people that massive rebellions did not take place.
One of the main building projects during this period was the Herodian temple. The Herodian temple was considered the 3rd temple because he restored the temple to its former glory under Solomon. This temple stood until the Islamic occupation of Jerusalem in 628 CE. The western wall also took its current form because of the expansion under Herod, and people began to write prayer under the wall. The prayers made the western wall one of the most holy sites in Judaism.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Thursday: Week 6
The Hellenistic period describes Greek influence in Jerusalem. This period experienced the secular leadership of the priests and the high priests are responsible for administrative and religious affairs. Priests had tremendous influence during this period and advocated the "very pro-Roman" culture during this period. Since the Greeks appointed the priests, it is to be expected that they follow the commands of the Romans. If not, the Greeks will depose of a high priest to put one that will do what you want. Aspects of a Greek culture are making residents speak Greek, building gymnasiums, and theaters for entertainment. The influence of Greek culture even made to it to Christianity.
Hasmonean Jerusalem covers the period after rebellion against the Greek overlords. The overthrow of the Greek was orchestrated by Judas Maccabaeus, and the successful revolt led to the control of the Jerusalem and temple by the Israelites. The holiday Hanukkah was commemorated to celebrate the victory. This period, from 165-63 BCE was the last time that the Jews will be in control of their government until the establishment of Israel. Unfortunately, this period of self rule was marked by Hasmonean rulers becoming increasing Hellenized, secular, and corrupt. Religion was used as an excuse for some of the actions committed by the Hasmonean rulers.
Hasmonean Jerusalem covers the period after rebellion against the Greek overlords. The overthrow of the Greek was orchestrated by Judas Maccabaeus, and the successful revolt led to the control of the Jerusalem and temple by the Israelites. The holiday Hanukkah was commemorated to celebrate the victory. This period, from 165-63 BCE was the last time that the Jews will be in control of their government until the establishment of Israel. Unfortunately, this period of self rule was marked by Hasmonean rulers becoming increasing Hellenized, secular, and corrupt. Religion was used as an excuse for some of the actions committed by the Hasmonean rulers.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Week 6: Tuesday
During the Persian period, the building of the "2nd temple" took place. The building of the temple was confusing for many Jewish during this period because Ezekiel had a vision of a "mobile throne of God". The mobile throne of God is written in the same apocalyptic style as his other visions, and God moves with the help of wheels instead of poles. The Arc of the Covenant is not found in the list of things found in Jerusalem and in Ezekiel's vision, it is replaced by his mobile throne of the God. Ezekiel's vision was probably that the arc of the covenant was replaced by something that had more mobility for the god.
The Persians were more diplomatic than the Babylonians. They allowed the Jewish people to return to their homeland, but subjected them to heavy taxes. One interesting fact was that a Persian became the high priest of Jerusalem. Previously, all messiahs were part of the divinic line of David but that tradition disappeared after Jerusalem was conquered by the Babylonians.
The Persians were more diplomatic than the Babylonians. They allowed the Jewish people to return to their homeland, but subjected them to heavy taxes. One interesting fact was that a Persian became the high priest of Jerusalem. Previously, all messiahs were part of the divinic line of David but that tradition disappeared after Jerusalem was conquered by the Babylonians.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Week 5:Tuesday
The literacy rate increased in 600BCE, and evidence is found in Lachish Letter 3 and the Ketet Hinnom amulets. In the Lachish letters, a common soldier is a able to write and as a result, a negative stigma emerges about those who cannot write. The Ketet Hinnom amulets contained a written blessing that was already found in the oral traditions.
The fate of Jerusalem closely follows the interpretation of the texts. The question emerged of what to do after the promise to David failed. Cognitive dissonance became an issue because the residents of Jerusalem were dealing with two conflicting ideas at the same time. 2 Kings 23 helps to explain the destruction of Jerusalem through theological reasons and Lamentation is a really sad poem about how this is all part of God's plan.
Biblical texts can be divided into two eras: pre-exilic and exilic. Pre-exilic refers to the time before the destruction of the temple and exilic refers to the time after the destruction of the temple. Some scholars are examining exilic texts because some texts might attempt to reinterpret the promise to David.
The fate of Jerusalem closely follows the interpretation of the texts. The question emerged of what to do after the promise to David failed. Cognitive dissonance became an issue because the residents of Jerusalem were dealing with two conflicting ideas at the same time. 2 Kings 23 helps to explain the destruction of Jerusalem through theological reasons and Lamentation is a really sad poem about how this is all part of God's plan.
Biblical texts can be divided into two eras: pre-exilic and exilic. Pre-exilic refers to the time before the destruction of the temple and exilic refers to the time after the destruction of the temple. Some scholars are examining exilic texts because some texts might attempt to reinterpret the promise to David.
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