Week 4 Lecture 2 (1/27/11)
Perhaps that greatest myth that sparked the idea of Jerusalem as a protected city by God is the story of the Assyrian siege on Jerusalem. According to Isaiah 36-39, Hezekiah and the entire city was under siege by the Assyrians, but God sent angels to wipe out the Assyrian army, causing them to retreat. Thus, Jerusalem was spared. Assyrian texts, such as Sennacherib's Prism, also confirm that Jerusalem was never conquered. This event, along with the simultaneous increase in writing and literacy, catalyzed zion theology. This thinking is based on the belief that God is protecting Jerusalem (Mt. Zion), as he had promised David, and that he will never let the city be destroyed. After this miraculous occurrence, Hezekiah initiated religion reform, centralizing religion to one god and worship at one temple in Jerusalem.
Although Hezekiah's son, Manasseh, tried to dismantle these ideologies, the subsequent king, Josiah, also reinforced monotheistic religious reform. Becoming king at age 8, much of the governmental power came from written texts and laws. The finding of the "Scrolls" established the Laws of Deuteronomy, which basically dictates that good things happen to good people, and the vice-versa. This thinking helped instill order among the people since Josiah was not ready to rule. He died in 609 BCE in a battle with Egyptians at Megiddo. This made people question: if Josiah was a good king, why did he die in the battlefield?
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The Urbanization of Jerusalem
Week 4 Lecture 1 (1/25/11)
After the reign of David and Solomon, also known as the Golden Age, the city split into two: Judah, the south and Israel, the North. Since the South had Jerusalem, the North built their own temples and alters in Tel Dan and Bethel to avoid making a pilgrimage to the South and helping the Southern economy. This was greatly condemned by the South. However, archaeological evidence shows that Judah also erected alternate temples of their own. Even so, the Bible continuously refers to only the North as sinners because it was written from the Southern point of view.
A growing power during the 8th century BCE was the Assyrians. The Assyrians conquered Israel in 721 BCE and practiced the technique of ethnic cleansing, where they evacuated the inhabitants and placed in their own people. Military tactics were harsh. The Assyrian empire not only wanted to appear strong and wealthy, but intimidating and unmerciful. With the fall of Israel came the rise of Judah. During this time of Assyrian conquest, many people from Israel flew down to the South to live in Jerusalem. Not conquered by the Assyrians, people in the South believed they were protected by God.
Thus, this started the urbanization of Jerusalem. The city expanded its boundaries and its population almost quadrupled. The incoming flow of people did cause many problems for the city, such as social dislocation, smaller nuclear families, traditional, cultural, and religious conflicts, etc. However, the city did remain safe from attack of the Assyrians. Evidence of the LMLK seal and chambers of surplus suggests that Judah was preparing to wage war against the Assyrians. This can be further supported by the contributions of Hezekiah. A "Broad Wall" was built to protect the city, Hezekiah's tunnel was created to bring water into the city, and mass surpluses of food were kept to ensure the city would not starve when under siege.
After the reign of David and Solomon, also known as the Golden Age, the city split into two: Judah, the south and Israel, the North. Since the South had Jerusalem, the North built their own temples and alters in Tel Dan and Bethel to avoid making a pilgrimage to the South and helping the Southern economy. This was greatly condemned by the South. However, archaeological evidence shows that Judah also erected alternate temples of their own. Even so, the Bible continuously refers to only the North as sinners because it was written from the Southern point of view.
A growing power during the 8th century BCE was the Assyrians. The Assyrians conquered Israel in 721 BCE and practiced the technique of ethnic cleansing, where they evacuated the inhabitants and placed in their own people. Military tactics were harsh. The Assyrian empire not only wanted to appear strong and wealthy, but intimidating and unmerciful. With the fall of Israel came the rise of Judah. During this time of Assyrian conquest, many people from Israel flew down to the South to live in Jerusalem. Not conquered by the Assyrians, people in the South believed they were protected by God.
Thus, this started the urbanization of Jerusalem. The city expanded its boundaries and its population almost quadrupled. The incoming flow of people did cause many problems for the city, such as social dislocation, smaller nuclear families, traditional, cultural, and religious conflicts, etc. However, the city did remain safe from attack of the Assyrians. Evidence of the LMLK seal and chambers of surplus suggests that Judah was preparing to wage war against the Assyrians. This can be further supported by the contributions of Hezekiah. A "Broad Wall" was built to protect the city, Hezekiah's tunnel was created to bring water into the city, and mass surpluses of food were kept to ensure the city would not starve when under siege.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Solomon's Jerusalem
Week 3 Lecture 2 (1/20/11)
One very important text we examined today was 2 Samuel 7. In this text, God promises that he will build David a lasting dynasty. However, when the temple was destroyed and the city taken over by Babylonians, the Hebrews began to question their faith. Some left the religion, but most reinterpreted the passage. They believe that God promised them a future king, a son of David, whose dynasty will last forever. This gave rise to the idea of a Messiah. It is great when I learn information I can apply to my faith. I knew Jesus was called the son of David, but it is great to now know the story behind it.
For the majority of the class, we discussed Solomon's Jerusalem. King Solomon, the son of King David, was considered a very wise king who erected a temple to house the Ark of the Covenant. Many historians still question whether Solomon and David existed because there is no extra-biblical evidence of their presence. "Is absence of evidence, evidence of absence?" However, Solomon's Temple is comparable to other palaces and temples in the region during the 9th century BCE. All of the temples have a very similar blueprint: a back room, a main entrance hall, pillars in the front, and side chambers. This does not necessarily mean that the Temple or Solomon existed, but it does give some sort of evidence that the Temple might be real.
One very important text we examined today was 2 Samuel 7. In this text, God promises that he will build David a lasting dynasty. However, when the temple was destroyed and the city taken over by Babylonians, the Hebrews began to question their faith. Some left the religion, but most reinterpreted the passage. They believe that God promised them a future king, a son of David, whose dynasty will last forever. This gave rise to the idea of a Messiah. It is great when I learn information I can apply to my faith. I knew Jesus was called the son of David, but it is great to now know the story behind it.
For the majority of the class, we discussed Solomon's Jerusalem. King Solomon, the son of King David, was considered a very wise king who erected a temple to house the Ark of the Covenant. Many historians still question whether Solomon and David existed because there is no extra-biblical evidence of their presence. "Is absence of evidence, evidence of absence?" However, Solomon's Temple is comparable to other palaces and temples in the region during the 9th century BCE. All of the temples have a very similar blueprint: a back room, a main entrance hall, pillars in the front, and side chambers. This does not necessarily mean that the Temple or Solomon existed, but it does give some sort of evidence that the Temple might be real.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
David's Jerusalem
Week 3 Lecture 1 (1/18/11)
The primary water source in Jerusalem is the Gihon Spring. Before the current era, water from the Gihon spring used to be enough to sustain a population of 2500, but now Jerusalem has to find other means of obtaining water. In earlier times, access to the water was possible either from the Warren Shaft or Siloam pool. The main question that revolves around these water works is: was it naturally there or was it man-made? Scientists and historians still do not know. However, there is evidence that Hezekiah's Tunnel is an expansion of the water works. Water in Jerusalem was not only a vital resource, but was holy and sacred. Coronation ceremonies concluded with the anointing of the king in the water of the Gihon Spring.
A topic of particular interest to myself is the Ark of the Covenant. It is a portable shrine that Hebrews carried around with them for guidance and luck. It can be compared to the pole of the Achilpas, a group in Australia who carried the pole wherever they went and followed the direction the pole swayed. The Ark of the Covenant can be said to be an axis mundi, connecting the people directly to God. It was a gold-covered box with two cherubim kneeling in prayer at the top. These cherubim usually protect or guard something important, and in this case, it was God. It can be questioned whether or not the Hebrews went as far as to worship the Ark as an idol, for it held a special place in the back of Soloman's Temple. I am very interested in the Ark of the Covenant and am considering writing about this for my research paper. :]
The primary water source in Jerusalem is the Gihon Spring. Before the current era, water from the Gihon spring used to be enough to sustain a population of 2500, but now Jerusalem has to find other means of obtaining water. In earlier times, access to the water was possible either from the Warren Shaft or Siloam pool. The main question that revolves around these water works is: was it naturally there or was it man-made? Scientists and historians still do not know. However, there is evidence that Hezekiah's Tunnel is an expansion of the water works. Water in Jerusalem was not only a vital resource, but was holy and sacred. Coronation ceremonies concluded with the anointing of the king in the water of the Gihon Spring.
A topic of particular interest to myself is the Ark of the Covenant. It is a portable shrine that Hebrews carried around with them for guidance and luck. It can be compared to the pole of the Achilpas, a group in Australia who carried the pole wherever they went and followed the direction the pole swayed. The Ark of the Covenant can be said to be an axis mundi, connecting the people directly to God. It was a gold-covered box with two cherubim kneeling in prayer at the top. These cherubim usually protect or guard something important, and in this case, it was God. It can be questioned whether or not the Hebrews went as far as to worship the Ark as an idol, for it held a special place in the back of Soloman's Temple. I am very interested in the Ark of the Covenant and am considering writing about this for my research paper. :]
Friday, January 14, 2011
Canaanite Jerusalem
Week 2 Lecture 2 (1/13/11)
This lecture, we primarily focused on Jerusalem in evidence and text. Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities documented in actually text, such as execration texts and the Armarna letters. In the execration texts, written in hieroglyphics on clay figures, Jerusalem was listed as one of the enemies. This type of practice shows how people in the past believed that destroying a name brings bad curses onto the name. This explains why Muslims and Jews rarely saw and write the name of Yahweh, because it can potentially be destroyed and cause bad consequences. In the Armarna letters, Jerusalem sent letters to King Akenaten of Egypt asking for protection and aid. Both of these primary evidences show that a Jerusalem did indeed exist. The same can't be said about King David, because besides the Bible, there is no extra-biblical support that he existed.
The Bible, although an significant source, has many conflicts within its texts. For example, in the book of Joshua, he speaks of the brutal killing of all the people in the region of Jerusalem. This is supported many times in the Bible, but in other passages, such as those in Judges, it is refuted. In Judges 1:21, it says that the Benjaminites did not drive out the Jebusites. This leaves room for much biblical criticism and skepticism about the reliability of the Bible. In particular, it raises the question about how Israelites got to Jerusalem: was it by conquest, immigration, or were they already there?
This lecture, we primarily focused on Jerusalem in evidence and text. Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities documented in actually text, such as execration texts and the Armarna letters. In the execration texts, written in hieroglyphics on clay figures, Jerusalem was listed as one of the enemies. This type of practice shows how people in the past believed that destroying a name brings bad curses onto the name. This explains why Muslims and Jews rarely saw and write the name of Yahweh, because it can potentially be destroyed and cause bad consequences. In the Armarna letters, Jerusalem sent letters to King Akenaten of Egypt asking for protection and aid. Both of these primary evidences show that a Jerusalem did indeed exist. The same can't be said about King David, because besides the Bible, there is no extra-biblical support that he existed.
The Bible, although an significant source, has many conflicts within its texts. For example, in the book of Joshua, he speaks of the brutal killing of all the people in the region of Jerusalem. This is supported many times in the Bible, but in other passages, such as those in Judges, it is refuted. In Judges 1:21, it says that the Benjaminites did not drive out the Jebusites. This leaves room for much biblical criticism and skepticism about the reliability of the Bible. In particular, it raises the question about how Israelites got to Jerusalem: was it by conquest, immigration, or were they already there?
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sacred Space Must Be Founded
Week 2 Lecture 1 (1/11/11)
Today, we primarily discussed the sacred places within Jerusalem. An important concept, stressed in class and in Eliade, is that a "sacred space must be founded." For example, the building of new temples and places of worship are deemed sacred because they usually are of divine origin. It was founded by a person, but initiated by the will of a god. Jerusalem gains its reputation in two ways: (1) by continuous building and expansion, and (2) by associating itself with stories, specifically those that present itself as an axis mundi. The axis mundi is believed to be a place, or portal, that connects the three levels of heaven, earth, and hell. References drawn from the bible and other readings suggest that Jerusalem is this axis mundi. It is believed to be the Garden of Eden and the place to Underworld (Hinnom Valley). To futher support this, stories about the burial of Adam under the Holy Sepulcher and the incorporation of Canaanite myths about Mount Zaphon, make Jerusalem the center of many religions and a significant reference of all important texts.
Another issue, not relating to the class, was brought up today. On my way back to UCLA for winter quarter, I saw protest groups in Westwood with signs saying "Stop Killing Christians in Egypt!" I am very "out-of-the-loop" when it comes to current events, so I didn't bother to look up the story or ask friends. Today, I found out that Muslim terrorists have been killing Christians who go to pray in the Holy Sepulcher. Yes, I was outraged, but from this act of human corruption, we also see an act of kindness. Muslims put aside religion in order to protect their fellow brothers and sisters who were praying at the church. I'm sure not only Professor Cargill was moved by this act. In a world where the news always reflects some evil or crime, it is inspiring to see an act of justice. This, too, points out the importance of Jerusalem. Although religion is important, it does not distinguish one person from another. Hence, although these people are different, they still share the same city of worship, and that is Jerusalem.
Today, we primarily discussed the sacred places within Jerusalem. An important concept, stressed in class and in Eliade, is that a "sacred space must be founded." For example, the building of new temples and places of worship are deemed sacred because they usually are of divine origin. It was founded by a person, but initiated by the will of a god. Jerusalem gains its reputation in two ways: (1) by continuous building and expansion, and (2) by associating itself with stories, specifically those that present itself as an axis mundi. The axis mundi is believed to be a place, or portal, that connects the three levels of heaven, earth, and hell. References drawn from the bible and other readings suggest that Jerusalem is this axis mundi. It is believed to be the Garden of Eden and the place to Underworld (Hinnom Valley). To futher support this, stories about the burial of Adam under the Holy Sepulcher and the incorporation of Canaanite myths about Mount Zaphon, make Jerusalem the center of many religions and a significant reference of all important texts.
Another issue, not relating to the class, was brought up today. On my way back to UCLA for winter quarter, I saw protest groups in Westwood with signs saying "Stop Killing Christians in Egypt!" I am very "out-of-the-loop" when it comes to current events, so I didn't bother to look up the story or ask friends. Today, I found out that Muslim terrorists have been killing Christians who go to pray in the Holy Sepulcher. Yes, I was outraged, but from this act of human corruption, we also see an act of kindness. Muslims put aside religion in order to protect their fellow brothers and sisters who were praying at the church. I'm sure not only Professor Cargill was moved by this act. In a world where the news always reflects some evil or crime, it is inspiring to see an act of justice. This, too, points out the importance of Jerusalem. Although religion is important, it does not distinguish one person from another. Hence, although these people are different, they still share the same city of worship, and that is Jerusalem.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Jerusalem as Sacred Space
Week 1 Lecture 2 (1/6/11)
In this lecture, the professor mainly focused on the topography of the sacred city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was built on a hill, a strategic location to prevent against invasions and attacks. Jerusalem is also encompassed by three valleys, the Kidron, Hunnom, and Tyropean, running to the east, west, and center of the city respectively. Furthermore, Jerusalem is divided into quarters, each quarter with its own religion. The top left quadrant is Christian, top left Muslim, bottom left Armenian, and bottom right Jewish. As one can see, Jerusalem is the center of many different religions. Water is an important mean of survival and purification in Jerusalem. The city has its own spring, the Gihon, from which the city and the people can survive and prosper.
My favorite part of lecture was definitely interpreting the bible readings. I have read these clips in the bible before, but never have I interpreted it like the professor did. For example, when analyzing the story of the Garden of Eden, the Gihon was mentioned. I would have overlooked this minor detail, but the professor went as far as using this detail to draw the hypothesis that Jerusalem could be the Garden of Eden. This was mind-blowing.
In this lecture, the professor mainly focused on the topography of the sacred city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was built on a hill, a strategic location to prevent against invasions and attacks. Jerusalem is also encompassed by three valleys, the Kidron, Hunnom, and Tyropean, running to the east, west, and center of the city respectively. Furthermore, Jerusalem is divided into quarters, each quarter with its own religion. The top left quadrant is Christian, top left Muslim, bottom left Armenian, and bottom right Jewish. As one can see, Jerusalem is the center of many different religions. Water is an important mean of survival and purification in Jerusalem. The city has its own spring, the Gihon, from which the city and the people can survive and prosper.
My favorite part of lecture was definitely interpreting the bible readings. I have read these clips in the bible before, but never have I interpreted it like the professor did. For example, when analyzing the story of the Garden of Eden, the Gihon was mentioned. I would have overlooked this minor detail, but the professor went as far as using this detail to draw the hypothesis that Jerusalem could be the Garden of Eden. This was mind-blowing.
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