The Antonia Fortress Size and Description
The Antonia Fortress was a military fortification and Josephus said that the
whole Fortress of Antonia appeared as one tower and therefore he referred to it
as the Tower of Antonia. Josephus gave us meticulous detail; he said the courts
and baths resembled a palace. It was rectangular in shape, measuring about 490
feet long (east to west) by 260 feet wide (north to south), with walls about
60-75 feet high. Each corner had a high tower, three of which were 75 feet high.
The tower in the northwest corner, which overlooked the Temple area, however,
was about 115 feet high. According to Acts 21 stairs connected the Antonia
Fortress with the Temple area. The northwest tower was later known as Strato�s
Tower.
The Fortress of Antonia was partly surrounded by a deep ravine 165 feet wide. It
functioned as headquarters for the Roman soldiers, a palace and a barracks.
Herod constructed a secret passage from the fortress to the Temple and Josephus
described that this is where Aristobulus was killed.
The Fortress of Antonia was built on a rock hill, which was much higher than the
Temple area (75 feet), on the northwest side. The castle�s 4 walls were
interesting:
The western wall was built upon the edge of the cliff overlooking the Tyropoeon
Valley.
The north wall was directly across the hill Bezetha and there was a deep mote
between them. The rock hid the Temple from view on this side according to
Josephus.
The southern wall one could see over the entire Temple area.
The eastern wall overlooked the Pool of Bethesda and the Kidron Valley.
Josephus is the authoritative source for the description of the Antonia Fortress
and he wrote about its interior. It is described as a small city, a palace for a
king and a barracks for many soldiers. There were apartments, cloisters, baths
and large courtyards. There were also stairs that led down from the Fortress to
the porticoes of the Temple court at the extreme north side. It is also written
that there was a deep passageway underground, which went from the fortress to
the Court of Israel, mainly for uprisings and emergencies.
When Titus initiated his extreme assault into the Temple area it was from the
Antonia Fortress.
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.
Titus Vespasian
attacked the city of Jerusalem from the north side in 70 A.D. and overcame it.
The legions of Rome slaughtered over a million Jews and 95,000 Jewish captives
were taken away as prisoners.
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Table of Contents
Main Menu
- Ancient Assyrian Social Structure
- Ancient Babylonia
- Ancient Canaan During the Time of Joshua
- Ancient History Timeline
- Ancient Oil Lamps
- Antonia Fortress
- Archaeology of Ancient Assyria
- Assyria and Bible Prophecy
- Augustus Caesar
- Background Bible Study
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- Biblical Geography
- Fallen Empires - Archaeological Discoveries and the Bible
- First Century Jerusalem
- Glossary of Latin Words
- Herod Agrippa I
- Herod Antipas
- Herod the Great
- Herod's Temple
- High Priest's in New Testament Times
- Jewish Literature in New Testament Times
- Library collection
- Map of David's Kingdom
- Map of the Divided Kingdom - Israel and Judah
- Map of the Ministry of Jesus
- Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
- Messianic Prophecy
- Nero Caesar Emperor
- Online Bible Maps
- Paul's First Missionary Journey
- Paul's Second Missionary Journey
- Paul's Third Missionary Journey
- Pontius Pilate
- Questions About the Ancient World
- Tabernacle of Ancient Israel
- Tax Collectors in New Testament Times
- The Babylonian Captivity
- The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser
- The Books of the New Testament
- The Court of the Gentiles
- The Court of the Women in the Temple
- The Destruction of Israel
- The Fall of Judah with Map
- The History Of Rome
- The Incredible Bible
- The Jewish Calendar in Ancient Hebrew History
- The Life of Jesus in Chronological Order
- The Life of Jesus in Harmony
- The Names of God
- The New Testament
- The Old Testament
- The Passion of the Christ
- The Pharisees
- The Sacred Year of Israel in New Testament Times
- The Samaritans
- The Scribes
Ancient Questions
- How did the ancient Greeks and Romans practice medicine and treat illnesses?
- What were the major contributions of ancient Babylon to mathematics and astronomy?
- How did the ancient Persians create and administer their vast empire?
- What were the cultural and artistic achievements of ancient India, particularly during the Gupta Empire?
- How did ancient civilizations like the Incas and Aztecs build their remarkable cities and structures?
- What were the major trade routes and trading practices of the ancient world?
- What was the role of slavery in ancient societies like Rome and Greece?
- How did the ancient Mayans develop their sophisticated calendar system?
- What were the key events and significance of the Battle of Thermopylae in ancient Greece?
- What was life like for women in ancient Rome?
Bible Study Questions
- What does biblical archaeologist said about hieroglyphics?
- Where is the Negev where Abram went to in Genesis?
- What is the name of Ramallah in the Bible?
- How do we approach and study the historical and cultural context of biblical passages?
- What is the significance of the Psalms in personal and corporate worship?
- How do we discern and apply biblical principles to contemporary ethical issues?
- What is the biblical perspective on the nature of God's love and mercy?
- How do we interpret and understand apocalyptic literature in the Bible?
- What are the different covenants in the Bible and their significance?
- How do we grow in spiritual maturity and develop a deeper understanding of the Word?
About
Welcome to Free Bible: Unearthing the Past, Illuminating the Present! Step into a world where ancient history and biblical narratives intertwine, inviting you to explore the rich tapestry of human civilization.
Discover the captivating stories of forgotten empires, delve into the customs and cultures of our ancestors, and witness the remarkable findings unearthed by dedicated archaeologists.
Immerse yourself in a treasure trove of knowledge, where the past comes alive and illuminates our understanding of the present.
Join us on this extraordinary journey through time, where curiosity is rewarded and ancient mysteries await your exploration.
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