TIMELINE: HISTORY OF JERUSALEM
The following is taken from United Jerusalem--Reality and Recognition: Part One, An Educational Sourcebook written, edited, and compiled by Ryan Hass and Roy Graham for the World Union of Jewish Students.
"Jerusalem is for Israel the focal point of Jewish
History: the symbol of ancient glory, of longing, of prayer, of modern
renewal." -- Abba Eban, Israeli Statesperson
BC
| 1004 | King David establishes Jerusalem as the capital of the United Kingdom of Israel. |
| 960 | King Solomon (David's son) builds the First Temple on site chosen by his father. |
| 922 | Kingdom is divided between north (Israel) and south (Judah) with Jerusalem as capital of the Southern kingdom. |
| 701.......................................................................... | Senacherib, King of Assyria, unsuccessfully lays siege to Jerusalem. |
| 700........................................................................... | Hezekiah develops water supply at Siloam. |
| 586........................................................................... | Kingdom of Judah eventually falls to Nebuchadnezzer, King of Babylon, who captures and destroys Jerusalem, including the First Temple, and exiles Jews to Babylon. |
| 539-7......................................................................... | Beginning of return from Exile in Babylon--led by Ezra and Nehemia. |
| 515............................................................................ | City restored, and dedication of Second Temple (during reign of Darius) |
| 444............................................................................ | Nehemia rebuilds Jerusalem and its walls |
| 350............................................................................ | Persians capture Jerusalem |
| 332............................................................................ | Hellenistic domination of region--Alexander the Great |
| 313............................................................................ | Ptolemy I of Egypt rules Jerusalem. |
| 170............................................................................ | Antiochus Epiphanes, King of Syria, plunders Jerusalem |
| 167-4.......................................................................... | Maccabean revolts by Hasmoneans following desecration of Temple by Antiochus |
| 165 25......................................................................... | Kislev, Jerusalem recaptured and Temple rededicated (celebrated at Chanukah to this day). Restoration of Jewish autonomy under Hasmonean Empire. |
| 63................................................................................ | Roman invasion led by Pompei. |
| 37................................................................................ | Kingdom established with Jerusalem as capital under Herod--appointed by Rome |
| 20................................................................................ | Herod begins restoration of the Temple |
| 0.................................................................................. | Rule of Roman procurators |