In 35 B.C. King Herod rebuilt the Baris, a strong fortress to protect the Temple Mount and the primary military fortification of Jerusalem. He must have built it before the defeat of Antony by Octavian in 31 B.C. or else it would have been foolish to name it Antonia, Octavian’s rival.

The Antonia Fortress overlooked the Temple and the city of Jerusalem and became another of Herod's landmarks. Herod had no doubt used this as his palace for many years, since he did not build his new palace on the west side of the city until around 23 B.C. At some point the Romans took over the Antonia Fortress and placed a garrison there.

The Northwest Corner of the Temple (see picture below).

These photos are from an archaeological reproduction of first century Jerusalem, located in Jerusalem.

The Fortress of Antonia was built in 35 B.C. and named in honor of Herod’s friend and Roman Triumvir Marcus Antonius also known as Mark Antony. It was actually Mark Anthony who had requested that the Senate make Herod King of Judea as an eastern boundary to the Roman Empire. At some point the Romans took over the Antonia Fortress and placed a garrison there.