Dr. Cargil begin by talking about 20th Century Jerusalem, specifically the Six-Day War. This occured in 1967. The Soviets informed Syria of impending Israeli attack, Egypt ammased troops in Sinai, and then the Israeli forces launched a pre-emptive strike and reduced the Egyptian air force within hours. Dr. Cargill showed us an image of the King David Hotel. A question was brought up--Is this terrorism? A para-military group not recognized with a state that uses bombing to blow up buildings to kill "military targets". Some believe this isn't terrorism because it was a military target. However, I believe if they were not affiliated with the state then it is considered terrorism. The reason why we always want to blame certain groups as terrorists is because that is who we put the camera on. However, 90% of those people have nothing to do with any sort of affiliation with terrorism. Next, we looked at the demographics of Jerusalem. I found it very interesting. We looked at Intifadas-- which consisted of civil disobedience, violent action, and paying taxes. There was a sign on the slide stating that Jewish people were not allowed to enter the area of the Temple Mount. Moving onto the Oslo Accords in 1993. It was the first face-to-face agreement between Israel and the PLO in Oslo, Norway. It called for the creation of PNA and the Israeli withdrawl from the Gaza Strip and West Bank. They also called for Letters of Mutual Recognition; the PLO agreed to recognize Israels right to exist, but what they got in exchange was Israel recognized Arafat as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian People. The Prime Minister of Israel was assassinated by a Jewish man. Article I and V state that we will save to divide Jerusalem until later.
The PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) was founded in 1964 and was considered by the United States to be a terrorist organization until the Madrid Conference in 1991.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Lecture 18: March 8, 2011
I was in my dorm with the flu and the lecture was never posted on iTunes :( I blogged for every other lecture though! Sorry Professor Cargill!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Lecture 17: March 3, 2011
We began lecture by going back and looking at the Abbasid Dynasty that took place during 750-969 in Baghdad. The Abbasids tried to wipe out the memory of the Umayyid accomplishments, and Abbasid Caluph Al-Ma-mun took credit for building the Dome of the Rock. Another dynasty was named the Fatimads, taking place in Egypt in 969-1099. The welfare of Christians and Jews changes depending on the ruler. Although it is an Islamic city, near the end of their rules Jewish and Christian governors were appointed; this was an attempt to appease culture. Al-Hakim created numerous problems in 1009. In 1033, there was a terrible Earthquake that destroyed the walls of Jerusalem (including the Dome of the Rock). Due to the fact that Jerusalem sits on an earthquake fault, this is a perfect territory to be affected by such a natural disaster. There is always going to be an ongoing conflict between Persians and Arabs, because ethnically Persians are very diverse compared to Arabs.
After all the Crusades and bad events that occurred, Saladin came to Jerusalem and conquers it in 1187. He allowed women, children, and anyone to leave. You could draw parallels to modern ethical arguments of real rule. He then went up and did purification rituals for the Haram. He allowed people to work at the Holy Sepulcher and have their holy site to themselves. Post-Crusades, you begin to see Jews coming back and settling within the Maghribi Quarter. When Saladin dies in 1194, his successors struggled for power. There was a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh Crusade. In 1219, the walls of Jerusalem were dismantled; people flee and the population shrinks drastically. From this point forward, Jerusalem is not going to be a very important city; and it stays this way until the late 19th-20th century.
Next, Dr. Cargill moved into the topic of Mamluk and Ottoman Jerusalem. We looked at a timeline from 1244 all the way to 1948. Beginning by talking about the Mamluk period, it took place within 1250-1516. Jerusalem became a religious center. Over time, the Mamluk's became a very powerful military group holding political and military power. Dr. Cargill stated that the Mamluk's were more of a movement--opposed to a dynasty. There is an alternative event called Ziyara, which was a visit to Jerusalem (vs. Hajj--pilgrimage to Mecca). You have this idea of some symbolic purpose of defending Jerusalem, but this is a movement by the power class that see it as a religious and not a political center. Jerusalem is no longer a seed of power; it is taking on religious significance. Under the Mamluk's, the Haram is developed. There is an intensive building of schools, hospices, and hotels. I found it interesting that only two new mosques were built; one of which is the Friday Mosque in the citadel. From 1351-1353, the Black Death (plague) occurred and Jerusalem suffered.
A big part of the Mamluk movement was Architecture; which walls were built of alternating red and white courses of stones. There was a decorative technique called Muquarnas; these were inside of domes and above the entrances.
When learning about the development of the Haram-- the towers on the corners of the Haram were built, minarets were added, summer pulpit was built, the Northern colonnade added, and the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque were restored. Dr. Cargill showed us a map, pointing out that most of the improvements took place within the Islamic Quarter. It is interesting that the Jewish quarter continued to grow (Not as a political or administrative center, but as a spiritual and religious center). Through the growing Jewish quarter, the temple is spiritualized and symbolized as a path to God. Kabbalah made spiritual Aliyah to God possible.
Lastly, Dr. Cargill touched on Ottoman Jerusalem; taking place from 1516-1918. The Ottomans take Constantinople in 1453 and Selim I defeats the Mamluk's in 1517. Jerusalem is now under a strong centralized government, and was lost to Mohammed Ali in Egypt but was restored in 1840. Jerusalem is still a backwater town until the building of the Suez Canal in 1869. One powerful individual ruling from 1520-1566 was Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. He repaired and enlarged aqueducts and Sultan's Pool in 1532. More importantly, he rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in 1536 and created an extensive campaign to refurbish the Haram and its monuments. His work in Jerusalem parallels that at Mecca and Medina.
After all the Crusades and bad events that occurred, Saladin came to Jerusalem and conquers it in 1187. He allowed women, children, and anyone to leave. You could draw parallels to modern ethical arguments of real rule. He then went up and did purification rituals for the Haram. He allowed people to work at the Holy Sepulcher and have their holy site to themselves. Post-Crusades, you begin to see Jews coming back and settling within the Maghribi Quarter. When Saladin dies in 1194, his successors struggled for power. There was a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh Crusade. In 1219, the walls of Jerusalem were dismantled; people flee and the population shrinks drastically. From this point forward, Jerusalem is not going to be a very important city; and it stays this way until the late 19th-20th century.
Next, Dr. Cargill moved into the topic of Mamluk and Ottoman Jerusalem. We looked at a timeline from 1244 all the way to 1948. Beginning by talking about the Mamluk period, it took place within 1250-1516. Jerusalem became a religious center. Over time, the Mamluk's became a very powerful military group holding political and military power. Dr. Cargill stated that the Mamluk's were more of a movement--opposed to a dynasty. There is an alternative event called Ziyara, which was a visit to Jerusalem (vs. Hajj--pilgrimage to Mecca). You have this idea of some symbolic purpose of defending Jerusalem, but this is a movement by the power class that see it as a religious and not a political center. Jerusalem is no longer a seed of power; it is taking on religious significance. Under the Mamluk's, the Haram is developed. There is an intensive building of schools, hospices, and hotels. I found it interesting that only two new mosques were built; one of which is the Friday Mosque in the citadel. From 1351-1353, the Black Death (plague) occurred and Jerusalem suffered.
A big part of the Mamluk movement was Architecture; which walls were built of alternating red and white courses of stones. There was a decorative technique called Muquarnas; these were inside of domes and above the entrances.
When learning about the development of the Haram-- the towers on the corners of the Haram were built, minarets were added, summer pulpit was built, the Northern colonnade added, and the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque were restored. Dr. Cargill showed us a map, pointing out that most of the improvements took place within the Islamic Quarter. It is interesting that the Jewish quarter continued to grow (Not as a political or administrative center, but as a spiritual and religious center). Through the growing Jewish quarter, the temple is spiritualized and symbolized as a path to God. Kabbalah made spiritual Aliyah to God possible.
Lastly, Dr. Cargill touched on Ottoman Jerusalem; taking place from 1516-1918. The Ottomans take Constantinople in 1453 and Selim I defeats the Mamluk's in 1517. Jerusalem is now under a strong centralized government, and was lost to Mohammed Ali in Egypt but was restored in 1840. Jerusalem is still a backwater town until the building of the Suez Canal in 1869. One powerful individual ruling from 1520-1566 was Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. He repaired and enlarged aqueducts and Sultan's Pool in 1532. More importantly, he rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in 1536 and created an extensive campaign to refurbish the Haram and its monuments. His work in Jerusalem parallels that at Mecca and Medina.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Lecture 16: March 1, 2011
We began today with the topic of Crusader Jerusalem, which took place during 1099-1187. Dr. Cargill was not present so we had a guest, Ryan Roberts. Ryan discussed how a thousand years after the Crusades have occurred, we are still talking about them. The background to the Crusades was Early Islamic Jerusalem in 638-1099. There is an internal struggle between dynasties--fighting over territory. You still see pilgrims visiting Jerusalem as well. What is so fascinating about what happens, Jerusalem under Christian rule lasts 100 years. There are several factors that contribute to the Crusades; Political and Religious. For Political, you see the emergence of Holy Roman Empire in Western Europe (The divisions in Christianity). Secondly, Religions were the late reaction to persecution of Christian population of Jerusalem. Al Hakim, a mad ruler, destroyed the Holy Sepulcher in 1009 in connection with the "Descent of the Holy Fire" on Easter. For example, William of Tyre becomes extremely important during the Massacre of German pilgrims in 1064. Speaking of Tyre, there are chief historical sources of the Crusades. Mr. Roberts read quotes from William of Tyre and Ibu al-Qalamisi. The greatest crusader chronicle came from William of Tyre. The most important Muslim reference was Ibu- al-Qalamisi---Different sources give different viewpoints. Next, we looked at Pope Urban II's Speech (November 7. 1085). There was a four year window from this speech to Jerusalem being taken by the Christians. This speech calls upon the nobility of Western Europe; he wants them to go East. At the same time, he encourages them to free and liberate Jerusalem when they are going on their way. It starts to sow you the background on the importance of this speech by the Pope. For example, "But God exhorts you as heralds of Christ to repeatedly urge men of all ranks whatsoever." When Pope Urban gives this speech, he is not sure of the outcome--he is calling nobility, rich and poor, everyone; to help and give assistance. In many ways, this is the outcome of unintended consequences. A mass amount of people went to heed the requests of Pope Urban which was unexpected.
The definition of a Crusade was given as "An expedition authorized by the pope on Christ's behalf, the leading participants in which took vows and consequently enjoyed the privileges of protection at home and the Indulgence, which, when the campaign was not destined for the East, was equated with that granted to crusaders to the Holy Land." (Riley-Smith 1992:6). Indulgence is remission of the penalties due for sins; they were granted to crusaders. There are many ways that one can receive an Indulgence; one could contribute funds to a crusade, preach a crusade, collecting money for one, or settling as a colonist in the Holy Land. We took a look at a map for the first Crusade, the Peasants Crusade. The Peasants were poor and ill-equipped, so they figured that they had nothing to lose--instead they were slaughtered due to being unprepared. During the Siege of Jerusalem, in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Franks slaughtered more than 70,000 people (The Franks stripped the Dome of the Rock of more than forty silver candelabra).
During the 1st Crusade in 1095-1099, preached by Urban II, Jerusalem was conquered by Godfrey de Bouillon. Palestine became the Kingdom of Jerusalem and in 1100, Baldwin became the "King of Jerusalem". We looked at the Sources for Crusader Jerusalem; through Maps and Pilgrim accounts. Maps showed the four quarters and renewed interest in the Temple Mount. The Pilgrim accounts were what happened when they went on their journeys. The division of area became split into parts known as the Patriarch's quarter, Syrian Quarter, Armenian Quarter, and the Templar's Quarter.
The Crusader Period Monuments were that the existing Islamic monuments were modified and there was a rebuilding of ruins, etc. When moving on to the topic of Templars; the Order of Knights Templar was founded in 1118.
The definition of a Crusade was given as "An expedition authorized by the pope on Christ's behalf, the leading participants in which took vows and consequently enjoyed the privileges of protection at home and the Indulgence, which, when the campaign was not destined for the East, was equated with that granted to crusaders to the Holy Land." (Riley-Smith 1992:6). Indulgence is remission of the penalties due for sins; they were granted to crusaders. There are many ways that one can receive an Indulgence; one could contribute funds to a crusade, preach a crusade, collecting money for one, or settling as a colonist in the Holy Land. We took a look at a map for the first Crusade, the Peasants Crusade. The Peasants were poor and ill-equipped, so they figured that they had nothing to lose--instead they were slaughtered due to being unprepared. During the Siege of Jerusalem, in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Franks slaughtered more than 70,000 people (The Franks stripped the Dome of the Rock of more than forty silver candelabra).
During the 1st Crusade in 1095-1099, preached by Urban II, Jerusalem was conquered by Godfrey de Bouillon. Palestine became the Kingdom of Jerusalem and in 1100, Baldwin became the "King of Jerusalem". We looked at the Sources for Crusader Jerusalem; through Maps and Pilgrim accounts. Maps showed the four quarters and renewed interest in the Temple Mount. The Pilgrim accounts were what happened when they went on their journeys. The division of area became split into parts known as the Patriarch's quarter, Syrian Quarter, Armenian Quarter, and the Templar's Quarter.
The Crusader Period Monuments were that the existing Islamic monuments were modified and there was a rebuilding of ruins, etc. When moving on to the topic of Templars; the Order of Knights Templar was founded in 1118.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Lecture 15: February 24, 2011
We began with the topic of Islamic Jerusalem. Dr. Cargill introduced a timeline of Early Islamic Jerusalem (from 638-1099). After the rise of Islam, we are beginning to see different tribes and families spreading out. Different groups within Islam strive for power. The Sananians took Palestine and Jerusalem at the end of the Byzantine Empire in 614-628. As soon as they took over, they let the Jews back in and allowed them to resettle for the first time since 135 CE. When transitioning into the topic of Caliphs (delegates or representatives) we became familiar with the first three Caliphs. Caliph Umar took Jerusalem in 638; he created a written agreement with the Christian community not allowing Jewish settlement. However, he later allowed them to move back into the city. Two dominant groups within Islam today are Shi'ites and Sunnis. The Muslims retained the term Aelia from Hadrian, meaning the city of the Temple. The word Bait Maqdis became known as the "Holy House". Later, Bait Maqdis was shortened to al-Quds. Some terms to become familiar with are Qibla (direction of prayer) and Mihrab (niche pointing the direction of Prayer). There was an idea where you would pray towards Jerusalem--Daniel did this. We looked at an image of the Kaaba in Mecca. When you are praying towards Mecca, you pray specifically towards the Kaaba. In the city of Mecca, there is a big stone box with a curtain around it. The Kaaba is made from granite and in the eastern corner, there is the "Black Corner" where the black stone sits. As Islam rises in prominence, all of the traditions that were absorbed by Jerusalem are now coming towards the Kaaba. According to the Qur'ran, the Kaaba was rebuilt by Abraham and his son Ismael. It is the second most sacred site in all of Islam. There is a huge mosque built around it as well.Pre Islam, the Kaaba used to be a pagan shrine with numerous idols. There are Five "Pillars" of Islam. The Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj. The Shahada is "testimony" in which one recites the Muslim profession of faith--There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger. Salat is prayer five times a day toward Mecca. Zakat is Almsgiving to the needy. Sawm is fasting in the month of Ramadan. Lastly, Hajj is making the pilgrimage to Mecca once. Hajj becomes important because a lot of what occurs in Jerusalem is trying to take advantage of the Hajj. You paint your door with numerous colors, therefore making it easy to go in the home. If you rob someone, it is very very bad. The Umayyad Dynasty occurs in 638-750 CE. Abd-al-Malik's purpose was to find an alternative to the Hajj. The idea was to plan the fact that Jerusalem used to be the direction of prayer and to build a shrine so that individuals can come to Jerusalem from Damascus to do their Hajj. A continuing pilgramage is now allowed for Jews and Christians. The Early Islamic Palaces and Administrative Buildings began during the reign of Caliph Walid. They were equipped with fresh water and sewage systems, decorated with carved and molded stucco. There were also floors paved with gladstone and mosaics. It was never completed, but was still used into the early 'Abbasid period. We took a look at the History of the Dome of the Rock. I found it interesting how you will not be able to get in unless you are Muslim. The decorations of the Dome of the Rock have geometric design. It is a beautiful design with calligraphy. The Dome was financed with tax revenues of Egypt for 7 years, and the money was used to paint the Dome in pure gold. The Dome of the Rock became a very important shrine early on. The Dome of the Rock is NOT a mosque, but a shrine. The Mosaics on the Umayyad Mosque almost are a perfect match with the Dome of the Rock. We looked at the inscription of the Dome of the Rock, which was very interesting, thoughtful, and detailed. We begin to see dialogue of taking over the shrine that was dear to the Jews and saying that anti-Christian verses would be put on top. What are some of the traditions of the Dome of the Rock? One was that the Rock is the site of the Holy of Holies (or the rock is the site of the Great Altar). Dr. Cargill moved on to the Isra and Mi'raj, in the Qur'ran 17:1. This was about Muhammad's night journey--he was writing a white-winged horse depicted with the head of a human. Another image we looked at was Al-Buraq--a white animal with a human head. This can be known as a "magical beast". The tradition is that Muhammad gets on Al-Buraq and was taken to the farthest mosque (in Jerusalem).
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Lecture 14: February 22, 2011
We began class with the topic of Byzantine Jerusalem during 312-637 CE. A map of Byzantine Jerusalem shows the increasing Western Expansion of the Jewish sect, and how it moved towards Rome. A new faith defining the Western World became centered in Rome even though it began in Jerusalem (This will create tension). During the Rise of Christianity and the Metaphysical Jerusalem, the original Jesus followers were known as “The Way” or “The Path”. Jesus was a Jew. Through this period of increasing Hellenization, there is a spiritualization of the faith. There was a Rejection of the Temple. Also, Jesus made predictions of the destruction of the Temple in Mark 13 and Luke 21. The Events of the Early Church include Jesus’ Ascension from the Mount of Olives, the Holy Spirit Descends, the Early Church in Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Council, and Paul being arrested on the Temple Mount. All of this did not stop the Byzantine from converting Jerusalem into a Christian City. The central belief of the Christian faith was that Jerusalem is where Jesus was said to have been crucified, buried, and resurrected. In Matthew 27: 33-40, it is said “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself.” The Christians interpret the temple as Jesus’ body. Away from the physical Temple in Jerusalem, everything is being spiritualized. We looked at an image of Aelia Capitolia (Jerusalem), which was being converted into a Roman town. In 285, something changed in the way Rome ruled the world. Emperor Diocletian splits the administration of the Roman Empire between the West and the East. When Diocletian realized the Empire was growing so big, he split it into a tetrarchy. Maximian in the west took over Constantius as his Caesar, and Diocletian took over Galerius as his Caesar. Dr. Cargill stated that when Constantius dies, Galerius promoted a guy named Severus to Augustus. However, Constantius had a son named Constantine who wanted to be the ruler. Constantius’ troops declared Constantine the ruler. A man named Constantine the Great came to power form 312-337 CE. In 313, Constantine the Great issues the Edict of Milan—this legalizes Christianity. It is a fascinating ethical dilemma; if your religious was always based on non-retaliation, the way Christianity is being practiced is changing. In 324, the Council of Nicaea stated in the 7th Canon “Aelia should have an honored position.” The idea that Greco Roman philosophy affected Christianity was debated. Within Christianity, you see it go from a diverse faith to one orthodox (According to Constantine the Great, if you don’t believe this—you are not a Christian). Constantine wasn’t necessarily being a “Pope”, but he was affecting the outcome of Christianity. Dr. Cargill introduced a question: Did Constantine use Christianity for a political gain? Are the changed irreparable? Constantine had a mother named Helena; she came to visit Jerusalem in 324 CE. Constantine appointed his mother as the Augusta. Jerusalem was still rebounding from the emperor Hadrian—she asked where people believe Jesus was buried. We read an important story by Mark Twain about the way Helena went about how determining holy sites was not scientific. Helena dedicated the Church of Nativity and the Church of the Ascension. The Rededication of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher becomes the new Axis Mundi. With that said, the Temple Mount is no longer the center of Jerusalem. After Constantine and Helena come and go, a new man called Julian the “Apostate” takes over and begins to rebuild the Temple in 361-363. Julian undid a lot of Christianity. In 391, Theodosius names Christianity the state religion.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Lecture 13: February 17, 2011
We started lecture with the topic of the Jerusalem Revolt. Three main sources for the Revolt were Flavius Josephus, Tacitus, and Archaelogical excavations. We looked at the division of Herod's Kingdom after he passed away. Herod's kingdom was divided among three of his sons, whose powers were much more limited. Herod the Great had numerous wills; they were all different. Three sons ended up inheriting the realm. The son Archelaus became the ethnarch of Judea (He recieved Jerusalem, Samaria, the main lands). Archelaus was not a good ruler by any means, and he was recalled to Rome and send into exile in 6 CE.
The second son is named Herod Antipas, he ruled from 4 BCE until he was also exiled in 39 CE. He became the tetrarch of Perea and Galilee. The Bible records much of Jesus' life as taking place in Galilee. Much of the references to Herod are to Herod Antipas (Mark 6:14-29; Matt. 14:1-12; Luke 3:1; 9:7-9). He also was able to rule over the Transjordan.
The third and final son was Herod Philip, who recieved the worst land. Land way up in the northwest of the Sea of Galilee. He ruled from 4 BCE until his death in 34 CE. I found it interesting how Herod got away with putting his own picture on a coin.
The area that was controlled by the sons were replaced by Roman procurators. The direct Roman rulers took over, one who was named Pontius Pilate. He was the only Roman governor of Judea mentioned in the Gospels (Governor from 26 to 36/7 CE). Pontius Pilate provoked the Jews. As we were heading for a Revolt, there were ineffective rulers.
We looked at the inscription by Pontius Pilate. This was very good evidence that Pontius did actually exist. During 6-66 CE, Jewish nationalism was on the rise, there was growing internal Jewish conflict, a steady decline of law and order (each leader worse than the one before), and provocations from all sides. As Apolcalyptism develops, groups want a Messiah to come out of the sky to wipe out the Romans and re-establish the kingdom. By 66 CE, Jewish militants eventually open the Revolt against Rome.
We looked at one way to assert authority was to make your own money. It is also a way to declare your own independence.
When the Revolt breaks out in 66 CE, Mucianus (the Roman governor of Syria) is defeated. 67 CE rolls around, and Rome appoints the Vespasian to conquer Galilee. In 68 CE, Nero commits suicide on June 9th. There was a year of the 4 emperors that takes place in 69 CE; Vespasian is convinced to ride back into Rome and become the emperor. He leaves his son, Titus, to finish the revolt. On the 9th of Ab, the Northern city falls and the temple is destroyed.
The destruction of the Temple remaind in Ruins until Hadrian built a Temple to Jupiter in 135 CE. The idea of Cognitive Dissonance reappears; and specific questions are asked. Where will God go? What is a Jew? Vespasia had an answer; he said "You will continue to pay tax on temple if your Jewish." So now, the Temple is destroy, and on top of it there is still a half Shekel Tax.
We looked at a few fascinating images of Masada; created by Herod the Great. I found the location very interesting as that it was at sea level, with a trail leading to it from the bottom of the Dead Sea. The Palace that he built was very intricate as well. We moved on to images of Judea Capta Coins, one of a Vespasian and one named IVDAEA CAPTA (Judea captured). Jews had to buy things with coins that reminded them that Judea had been captured. I found it very bizarre how insensitive the image of the coins were and how disrespectful they were toward the Jewish people. We fast forwarded 60 years to look at the "Bar-Kokhba" Revolt. It took place from 132-135. Br-Kokhba's name was actually Simon ben Kosiba. The center of Judaism migrates to the west to Yavneh, then to Tiberias. The center of Jewish intellectual pursuits moves. Jerusalem is rebuilt by Hadrian as Aelia Capitolia. The province is then renamed Syria-Palestina.
The second son is named Herod Antipas, he ruled from 4 BCE until he was also exiled in 39 CE. He became the tetrarch of Perea and Galilee. The Bible records much of Jesus' life as taking place in Galilee. Much of the references to Herod are to Herod Antipas (Mark 6:14-29; Matt. 14:1-12; Luke 3:1; 9:7-9). He also was able to rule over the Transjordan.
The third and final son was Herod Philip, who recieved the worst land. Land way up in the northwest of the Sea of Galilee. He ruled from 4 BCE until his death in 34 CE. I found it interesting how Herod got away with putting his own picture on a coin.
The area that was controlled by the sons were replaced by Roman procurators. The direct Roman rulers took over, one who was named Pontius Pilate. He was the only Roman governor of Judea mentioned in the Gospels (Governor from 26 to 36/7 CE). Pontius Pilate provoked the Jews. As we were heading for a Revolt, there were ineffective rulers.
We looked at the inscription by Pontius Pilate. This was very good evidence that Pontius did actually exist. During 6-66 CE, Jewish nationalism was on the rise, there was growing internal Jewish conflict, a steady decline of law and order (each leader worse than the one before), and provocations from all sides. As Apolcalyptism develops, groups want a Messiah to come out of the sky to wipe out the Romans and re-establish the kingdom. By 66 CE, Jewish militants eventually open the Revolt against Rome.
We looked at one way to assert authority was to make your own money. It is also a way to declare your own independence.
When the Revolt breaks out in 66 CE, Mucianus (the Roman governor of Syria) is defeated. 67 CE rolls around, and Rome appoints the Vespasian to conquer Galilee. In 68 CE, Nero commits suicide on June 9th. There was a year of the 4 emperors that takes place in 69 CE; Vespasian is convinced to ride back into Rome and become the emperor. He leaves his son, Titus, to finish the revolt. On the 9th of Ab, the Northern city falls and the temple is destroyed.
The destruction of the Temple remaind in Ruins until Hadrian built a Temple to Jupiter in 135 CE. The idea of Cognitive Dissonance reappears; and specific questions are asked. Where will God go? What is a Jew? Vespasia had an answer; he said "You will continue to pay tax on temple if your Jewish." So now, the Temple is destroy, and on top of it there is still a half Shekel Tax.
We looked at a few fascinating images of Masada; created by Herod the Great. I found the location very interesting as that it was at sea level, with a trail leading to it from the bottom of the Dead Sea. The Palace that he built was very intricate as well. We moved on to images of Judea Capta Coins, one of a Vespasian and one named IVDAEA CAPTA (Judea captured). Jews had to buy things with coins that reminded them that Judea had been captured. I found it very bizarre how insensitive the image of the coins were and how disrespectful they were toward the Jewish people. We fast forwarded 60 years to look at the "Bar-Kokhba" Revolt. It took place from 132-135. Br-Kokhba's name was actually Simon ben Kosiba. The center of Judaism migrates to the west to Yavneh, then to Tiberias. The center of Jewish intellectual pursuits moves. Jerusalem is rebuilt by Hadrian as Aelia Capitolia. The province is then renamed Syria-Palestina.
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