temple of jerusalem

By: Hershel Shanks

The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius destroyed the opulent vacation destinations of Roman elites in August 79 C.E.—almost exactly nine years after Roman troops destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. Did this seem like more than mere coincidence to the ancients?

By: Elie Wiesel

World-renowned author and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel reflects on the Biblical figures Cain and Abel in a Supporting Roles column for Bible Review.

By: Reviewed by Nitza Rosovsky

Nitza Rosovsky reviews "Distant Views of the Holy Land" by Felicity Cobbing and David Jacobson.

By: BAS Staff

Straight from the field to you, hear from the individuals who were awarded BAS scholarships in 2015.

By: Estelle Reed

Archaeologists in Rome have discovered the foundations of a second triumphal arch of Roman Emperor Titus, which was thought to be lost to history.

By: Reviewed by Shaye J.D. Cohen

The fiscus Judaicus was a tax imposed on the Jews of the Roman Empire by Emperor Vespasian in the early 70s C.E. Whereas formerly the Jews had sent a half shekel (two drachmas) annually to the Temple of Jerusalem, now, after the Roman destruction, they would be required to send that same amount to the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus in Rome, which had been badly damaged by fire and was in need of repair and restoration.

By: Noah Wiener

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and Jerusalem archaeologist Eli Shukron announced the discovery of a large First Temple period reservoir today, reshaping our understanding of ancient water systems and water access in First Temple period Jerusalem. The rock-hewn and plastered reservoir has a capacity of over 8,000 cubic feet, the first of its size and kind discovered in First Temple period Jerusalem. Previous understanding of contemporaneous public ancient water systems focus on access to the Gihon Spring, which became accessible from Jerusalem through Warren’s Shaft, Hezekiah’s Tunnel and the Siloam Channel over the course of the First Temple Period. The large size of the reservoir, coupled with evidence of smaller cisterns in the area, suggests that the water would have been available for the broader urban population, and would have supplemented the Gihon Spring as a main water source.

By: Reviewed by Joshua Schwartz

Joshua Schwartz reviews "The Temple Mount: Where Is the Holy of Holies?" by Asher Selig Kaufman.

By: Reviewed by Alan Millard

Alan Millard reviews "Scribal Culture and the Making of the Hebrew Bible" by Karel van der Toorn.

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

Explore the archaeology and history of Turkey! Sites to see include Ephesus, one of the most famous Biblical places to go in Turkey. Prepare for […]