Bezetha

Bezetha (Hebrew: בי חדתא‎), also called by Josephus the New City[1] was a suburb of Jerusalem, north and north-west of the Temple, built opposite the tower Antonia (now in proximity to the Convent of the Sisters of Zion and Ecce Homo on Via Dolorosa Street) and extending as far as Herod's Gate westward and beyond. Originally, this part of the city was outside the area enclosed by the second wall, but during the reign of Agrippa I, had been enclosed by the newer third wall.[2] In Josephus' time, the hill on which Bezetha was built could be distinguished by its elevation in relation to the tower of Antonia, which was built beyond the intermediate valley below (partly dug on purpose), between Bezetha and the north side of the Temple Mount. Topographical maps still show the contours in elevation.

History

During the outbreak of the First Jewish-Roman War, Cestius Gallus set fire fire to this sparsely inhabited part of the city.[3]

Today, the area of Bezetha comprises part of the Muslim Quarter in Jerusalem's Old City.

See also

References
  1. Josephus, De Bello Judaico (Wars of the Jews) v.iv.§ 2
  2. Josephus, De Bello Judaico (Wars of the Jews) v.iv.§ 2
  3. Josephus, The Jewish War 2.19.4. (2.527).
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