There are five primary sources for the study of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, the Temple of Herod. They are:
The Bible
The Books of Maccabees
Josephus*
The Dead Sea Scrolls
The Mishna***War book 5, chapter 5; Antiquities book 15 chapter 11
**tractates Middot, Tamid, Yoma, Shekalim
These five sources along with archaeological discoveries provide us with sufficient information about the Temple of Herod during the time of Jesus.
Source:
In ancient Roman religion, Jupiter was the chief of the gods. The name “Jupiter” means “the best and greatest” (Optimus Maximus). He was identified with the Greek god Zeus. Jupiter was the spirit of the sky and worshiped as the god of thunder...
In the Bible, a watchtower, also known as a lookout or watchman's tower, was a raised structure used for surveillance and observation. It served as a strategic vantage point from which watchmen could keep watch over the surrounding area, looking out ...
In ancient Rome the “centurion” meant “captain of 100”, and the Roman centurion was captain over 100 foot soldiers in a legion. The centurion was loyal and courageous, beginning as a soldier in the army and working their way up the ranks. The...
The people of ancient Greece developed unique characteristics because of the topography of their country. The coastline curved inward very peculiarly, causing the bays to become very prominent, and stretching far out into the Mediterranean Sea. This ...
Mesopotamia, mentioned in the Bible, refers to an ancient region located in present-day Iraq and parts of Syria and Turkey. The term "Mesopotamia" means "land between rivers" in Greek, as the region is situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers...
Slavery was deeply ingrained in the social and economic fabric of ancient Rome and Greece, shaping the structure of these societies in significant ways. With vast numbers of enslaved individuals serving as laborers, domestics, and even skilled profes...
The Pantheon, or the temple of all the gods. It is the best preserved ancient building in Rome and is universally admired for its fine dome and beautiful columns. Source: The Pantheon...
According to the biblical account in Exodus 14, the Israelites crossed the Red Sea during their escape from Egypt. When they reached the shores of the sea, Moses stretched out his hand, and God caused a strong east wind to blow all night, parting the...
Babylon is Akkadian “babilani” which means “the Gate of God(s)” and it became the capital of the land of Babylonia. The etymology of the name Babel in the Bible means “confused” (Gen 11:9) and throughout the Bible, Babylon was a symbol of...
Augustus was born with the name Gaius Octavian on September 23, 63 B.C. His parents were C. Octavius and Atia, a niece of Julius Caesar, by his sister Julia. Source: Augustus Caesar...
The main sources available estimate that the population of those living in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus was probably around 80,000 to 100,000 citizens. But during the Passover hundreds of thousands of Jews from the Diaspora would pour into Jeru...
The main historical sources for the life of Nero were Tacitus Tacitus Publius Cornelius (55-120 A.D. approx.), Suetonius Svetonius Tranquillus (70-140 A.D. approx.), Cassius Dio Dion Cassius Cocceianus (155-235 A.D. approx.), Jewish and Christian Tra...
The ancient Persian Empire, known for its grandeur and administrative prowess, stands as a testament to the organizational genius of its rulers. From the Achaemenid to the Sassanian dynasties, the Persians created and administered a vast empire that ...
The Wilderness of Judea, mentioned in the Bible, refers to a geographical region located east of Jerusalem and extending toward the Dead Sea. It is characterized by its rugged terrain, barren landscapes, and limited vegetation, making it a challengin...
The ancient Mayan civilization, renowned for its advanced understanding of astronomy and mathematics, developed a highly sophisticated calendar system that remains a testament to their intellectual prowess. Through intricate observations of celestial...
The Passover Papyrus is a letter from among the elephantine papyri that dates back to the time of Darius II, in 419 BC. In 1907 archaeologists discovered in Aswan papyrus fragments of a letter that bears the royal authority of the Persian Empire (not...
The main powers in ancient Rome were Carthage, Greece, and Etrura. The Italian Peninsula is located right in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. Rome is located right in the heart of Italy on a large plain known as Latium. Source: Latium and Geo...
Around 1000 BC David became king over Israel and conquered the Jebusites and stormed their fortress on Mount Zion (1 Sam. 5:5-9). Jerusalem became his home and the capital of his kingdom. He brought the Ark of the Covenant to the city and danced befo...
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