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.