Muslims, Arabs, Seljuks, Crusaders, Seracens, Mamelukas and
Ottomon Turks. Not mentioning the earlier inter and intra tribal I! 34 INDIA AND ISRAEL CHAPTER 2 i, - 11 wars for the occupation of Jerusalem before David, a brief but | not comprehensive chronolo^ 5y of some major conflicts for »|| Jerusalem is given below. li f I Time Events I’1 1. 587 or 586 B.C. Destruction by Babylonians. li 2. 198 B.C. Seleucid Conquest. | 3. 170 B.C. Capture by Antiochus Epiphanes. ’I 4. 164-141 B.C. Hasmonean Revolt, Occupation, I Defeat & Reoccupation I 5. 63 B.C. Pompey’s Siege. I I 6. 37 B.C. Conquest by Herod. II I 7. 70 A.D. II Destruction by Romans. II I 8. 132-135 A.D. Bar Kochba Revolt. §’ ”’ rH 1
«*: *1 111 I 9. 614 A.D. Persian Conquest. * IT”. . • II in! -^ * i II I 10. 638 A.D. Muslim Conquest. ^ II II || 11. 1071, 1076 A.D. II Seljuk Conquest. >*’”* * H li I 12. 1098 A.D. Fatmid Conquest. 1 13. 1099 A.D. I First Crusader Siege and Conquest. .;• a i I I 14. 1187 A.D. Siege of Saladin. <;r,i i I ll 15. 1229 A.D. Third Crusader Siege. ife/ * ~ 9
,*2f*?» H in I | 16. 1244 A.D. Conquest and Sacking by Tartars. • ill I 17. 1917 A.D. Starvation relieved by Allenby’s Entry. I I! I 18. 1920, 1929, A.D. Arab Mob Outbreaks in Old City. * ,*• I I 19. 1944.1946 A.D. Jewish Underground Violence. -Hv| I 20. 1947 A.D. m Arab-Jewish Conflict. Vl ” I || 21. 1948 A.D. Arab Siege and Conflict. I i 22. 1967 A. D. Jewish Conquest of East Jerusalem. „ * m. i Hi *, - > •*& i in r a |”| i The name Jerusalem is derived from two Hebrew words-”Yara” i I II and ”Shalom” the former meaning city and the latter stands for £ i I in ’ peace; in other words a city of peace. Another interpretation I could be the combination of ”Yara” with ”Salome”, a local i I goddess. In Egyptian hieroglyphs, the city is referred to as |)i| Urushamem, in Akkadian tongue as Urusalim. Another school II’ i of thought relates to the belief in Hebrew connotation as ”City CHAPtK 2HISTORY OF ISRAEL 35 of Peace” born out of two Hebrew words ”Ir” meaning city and
”Shalon” meaning peace. Modern historians, however, consider
the derivation of this name from the two words ”Yara” meaning
”Founded” and ”Salem” the name of the local Cod. Thus the
city was supposed to be founded by the Cod ”Salem”. Thus the
word Jerusalem had it’s roots in antiquity. The city of shalom
became the headquarters building for the Knights known as the
’Order of Templars’ and named ’Palatium Solomanis’, the place
of Solomon, considering it to be the site of his residence built
south of Solomon’s Temple. During the Crusaders’ occupation
of Jerusalem ( 1099-1187 A.D.) the Dome of Rock was
converted into a Christian church, known as ’Templum Domini’
due to the association of the site with the Jewish Temple. David moved into his new capital Jerusalem, the ancient
tribal relic of the Ark, in order to give this city the dignity due
to this central relic of the confederation of the tribes. In the
process, he boldly linked it to the ancient tradition which bound
the tribes together and made it a central point for all the Jews.
’Mount Zion, the name of the hill top on which Jerusalem’s
place of worship stood, became a concept in Israel’s religious
vocabulary. Around Jerusalem developed all the trade and
prosperity of Israel. Construction and development followed the
establishment of the city. Ancient trade routes were revived. 38 INDIA AND ISRAEL CHAPTER 2 v* Trade developed as exchange of goods and services took place; • roads were constructed, houses built and good governance ^j£ | provided to the children of Israel. Commerce and wealth flowed. H , ! Wells were dug where possible and resting place for the pilgrims HK 1: constructed to shelter the pious visiting Jerusalem for worship ^H I and sacrifice. ^B Trade flowed from neighbouring lands along highways and ^H the Hebrews, the scattered little nomads, became a strong force |PP • of the East. This was the peak of David’s glory and then the j decline began. He fell prey to the weaknesses of unbridled | ! power, and developed into a medieval despot, his harem -* ’ . overflowing with women and hangers-on, the military austerity I replaced by adulterous deeds and court intrigues. Rebellions broke out and the aging David lost most of his prestige and i|! ! halo. His son rebelled and was killed by Jacob, his faithful general. jj|:j His son’s quarrels and endless intrigues among his concubines I; made his last years miserable. One of his famous concubines, Bathsheeba got her son propped up as the next king. This last
i phase of degeneration notwithstanding, David was the maker of !’ Israel, a statesman and warrior king. Inheriting a disspirited and divided people, he raised a kingdom battle by battle. A succession
of diplomatic coups pushed forward and secured the frontiers
, to establish a kingdom. He brought back the Holy Ark and 1 created Jerusalem, a capital and a shrine. David, a king at 30, ruled in glory for forty years and his kingdom prospered. His
-,, rule stretched along the sea from Dan in the north to Beersheba , in the south, while its eastern borders lay along the Judean hills and the river Jordan. His muster roll for battle included eight
i ’< hundred thousand men from Israel and a hundred thousand jj, from Judah. History remembers the man not for his foibles but j[ jj his achievements. A genius in war and diplomacy, he holds a unique position in the Hebrew lore. A king poet in shining
[ armour, he holds the unique distinction of being the maker of I the Jewish nation. The star of David on Israel’s flag is well |! deserved. CHAPTER 2 HISTORY OF ISRAEL