A|DT Brief|NNP History|NN 

Jerusalem|NNP s|VBZ recorded|VBN history|NN begins|VBZ with|IN its|PRP$ mention|NN in|IN Egyptian|JJ court|NN records|NNS 4,000|CD years|NNS ago|RB ,|, but|CC there|EX had|VBD been|VBN human|JJ settlements|NNS here|RB for|IN centuries|NNS ,|, probably|RB millennia|NN ,|, before|IN that|DT .|. 
At|IN the|DT beginning|NN of|IN the|DT second|JJ millennium|NN b.c.|NN ,|, Jerusalem|NNP was|VBD a|DT Canaanite|NNP mountain|NN stronghold|NN on|IN a|DT secondary|JJ trade|NN route|NN ,|, far|RB less|RBR important|JJ than|IN biblical|JJ cities|NNS such|JJ as|IN Hazor|NNP ,|, Megiddo|NNP ,|, Beth|NNP Shean|NNP ,|, and|CC Shechem|NNP .|. 
The|DT earliest|JJS name|NN associated|VBN with|IN the|DT city|NN ,|, Ur|NNP usalim|NN ,|, perhaps|RB meant|VBN “|" city|NN of|IN Shalim|NNP ”|" or|CC “|" founded|VBN by|IN Shalim|NNP .|. ”|" 
Scholars|NNP speculate|VB that|IN Shalim|NNP might|MD have|VB been|VBN an|DT ancient|JJ Semitic|NNP deity|NN of|IN peace|NN ,|, for|IN the|DT name|NN resembles|VBZ the|DT modern|JJ Hebrew|NNP and|CC Arabic|NNP words|NNS for|IN “|" peace|NN ”|" :|: shalom|NN and|CC salaam|NN ,|, respectively|RB .|. 
If|IN true|JJ ,|, this|DT is|VBZ an|DT ironic|JJ name|NN for|IN a|DT city|NN that|WDT would|MD become|VB one|CD of|IN the|DT most|RBS constantly|RB and|CC bitterly|RB embattled|JJ places|NNS on|IN the|DT face|NN of|IN the|DT earth|NN .|. 

Biblical|NNP Jerusalem|NNP 

In|IN the|DT Bible|NNP ,|, Genesis|NNP 14:18|NN –|NN 20|CD records|NNS that|IN Abraham|NNP visited|VBD the|DT city|NN of|IN “|" Salem|NNP ”|" in|IN approximately|RB 1800|CD b.c.|NN and|CC was|VBD blessed|VBN by|IN the|DT city|NN s|VBZ ruler|NN ,|, Melchzedik|NNP ,|, who|WP offered|VBD him|PRP bread|NN and|CC wine|NN .|. 
The|DT city|NN is|VBZ not|RB mentioned|VBN again|RB in|IN the|DT Bible|NNP until|IN the|DT time|NN of|IN the|DT great|JJ poet|NN warrior|NN ,|, King|NNP David|NNP ,|, who|WP captured|VBD the|DT city|NN from|IN the|DT Jebusites|NNP in|IN about|IN 1000|CD b.c.|NN 
The|DT Bible|NNP describes|VBZ how|WRB David|NNP s|VBZ soldiers|NNS conquered|JJ Jerusalem|NNP by|IN discovering|VBG a|DT water|NN tunnel|NN under|IN the|DT walls|NNS and|CC using|VBG it|PRP to|TO take|VB the|DT city|NN by|IN surprise|NN .|. 
Warren|NNP s|VBZ Shaft|NNP ,|, part|NN of|IN a|DT Canaanite|NNP water|NN system|NN discovered|VBN by|IN 19|CD th-century|JJ archaeologists|NNS and|CC open|JJ to|TO visitors|NNS ,|, might|MD be|VB the|DT very|JJ tunnel|NN infiltrated|VBN by|IN David|NNP s|VBZ army|NN .|. 

Perhaps|RB because|IN Jerusalem|NNP was|VBD in|IN neutral|JJ territory|NN not|RB allotted|JJ to|TO any|DT of|IN the|DT twelve|CD rival|JJ tribes|NNS of|IN Israel|NNP ,|, David|NNP made|VBD it|PRP the|DT capital|NN of|IN his|PRP$ newly|RB formed|VBN kingdom|NN and|CC brought|VBD the|DT most|RBS talented|JJ artisans|NNS ,|, dedicated|VBN priests|NNS ,|, magical|JJ poets|NNS and|CC musicians|NNS ,|, and|CC the|DT most|RBS formidable|JJ soldiers|NNS from|IN each|DT of|IN the|DT tribes|NNS to|TO live|VB in|IN his|PRP$ city|NN .|. 
He|PRP also|RB brought|VBD the|DT Ark|NNP of|IN the|DT Covenant|NNP ,|, the|DT portable|JJ tabernacle|NN containing|VBG the|DT Tablets|NNP of|IN the|DT Law|NNP received|VBD on|IN Mount|NNP Sinai|NNP ,|, to|TO the|DT Spring|NNP of|IN Gihon|NNP ,|, just|RB outside|IN the|DT walls|NNS of|IN Jerusalem|NNP .|. 
There|EX the|DT Ark|NNP rested|VBD until|IN it|PRP was|VBD placed|VBN in|IN the|DT Temple|NNP ,|, built|VBN in|IN approximately|RB 960|CD b.c.|NN on|IN Mt.|NN Moriah|NNP ,|, the|DT high|JJ point|NN at|IN the|DT northern|JJ end|NN of|IN the|DT city|NN .|. 

The|DT Temple|NNP (|( today|NN known|VBN as|IN the|DT “|" First|CD ”|" Temple|NNP )|) was|VBD completed|VBN by|IN David|NNP s|VBZ son|NN and|CC successor|NN ,|, King|NNP Solomon|NNP .|. 
According|VBG to|TO biblical|JJ tradition|NN ,|, although|IN David|NNP bought|VBD the|DT land|NN for|IN the|DT Temple|NNP and|CC carefully|RB assembled|VBN its|PRP$ building|NN materials|NNS ,|, he|PRP was|VBD deemed|VBN unworthy|NN of|IN constructing|VBG the|DT Temple|NNP because|IN he|PRP was|VBD a|DT man|NN of|IN war|NN with|IN blood|NN on|IN his|PRP$ hands|NNS .|. 
At|IN the|DT Temple|NNP s|VBZ dedication|NN ,|, Solomon|NNP addressed|VBD his|PRP$ God|NNP :|: “|" .|. .|. .|. the|DT Heavens|NNP ,|, even|RB the|DT Heaven|NNP of|IN the|DT Heavens|NNP ,|, cannot|NN contain|VB Thee|NNP ;|: how|WRB much|RB less|JJR this|DT House|NNP that|IN I|PRP have|VBP built|VBN ?|. ”|" 

The|DT site|NN of|IN the|DT Temple|NNP eventually|RB became|VBD identified|VBN as|IN Mt.|NN 
Moriah|NNP ,|, on|IN which|WDT it|PRP stood|VBD ,|, where|WRB Abraham|NNP was|VBD called|VBN to|TO sacrifice|VB his|PRP$ son|NN Isaac|NNP .|. 
Along|IN with|IN this|DT splendid|JJ house|NN of|IN worship|NN ,|, Solomon|NNP built|VBD a|DT royal|JJ palace|NN ,|, mansions|NNS for|IN his|PRP$ wives|NNS ,|, temples|NNS for|IN the|DT foreign|JJ gods|NNS worshipped|JJ by|IN the|DT princesses|NNS he|PRP had|VBD married|VBN ,|, and|CC towers|NNS for|IN the|DT defense|NN of|IN the|DT capital|NN .|. 
Under|IN the|DT wise|JJ reign|NN of|IN Solomon|NNP ,|, the|DT city|NN flourished|VBN as|IN the|DT capital|NN of|IN an|DT empire|NN that|WDT stretched|VBD from|IN Damascus|NNP to|TO the|DT Red|NNP Sea|NNP and|CC controlled|VBD the|DT trade|NN routes|NNS from|IN Egypt|NNP to|TO Phoenicia|NNP .|. 
The|DT Temple|NNP and|CC royal|JJ palace|NN were|VBD adorned|VBN with|IN gold|NN and|CC ivory|NN from|IN Africa|NNP and|CC with|IN cedar|NN from|IN Lebanon|NNP ;|: the|DT beauties|NNS and|CC glories|NNS of|IN Jerusalem|NNP under|IN Solomon|NNP have|VBP captivated|JJ readers|NNS of|IN the|DT Bible|NNP for|IN almost|RB 3,000|CD years|NNS .|. 
But|CC with|IN his|PRP$ death|NN the|DT empire|NN collapsed|VBD ,|, and|CC the|DT Israelite|NNP kingdom|NN was|VBD divided|VBN into|IN two|CD separate|JJ ,|, impoverished|VBN ,|, often|RB warring|VBG nations|NNS :|: Israel|NNP ,|, with|IN its|PRP$ capital|NN at|IN Shechem|NNP in|IN the|DT north|NN ,|, ruled|VBN by|IN a|DT series|NN of|IN northern|JJ dynasties|NNS ;|: and|CC the|DT smaller|JJR kingdom|NN of|IN Judah|NNP ,|, with|IN its|PRP$ capital|NN at|IN Jerusalem|NNP ,|, from|IN which|WDT the|DT Davidic|NNP dynasty|NN continued|VBD to|TO rule|VB .|. 
The|DT Bible|NNP tells|VBZ us|PRP that|IN the|DT cruelty|NN and|CC impiety|NN of|IN the|DT rulers|NNS of|IN both|DT kingdoms|NNS aroused|VBD the|DT fury|NN of|IN the|DT great|JJ Prophets|NNP .|. 

In|IN 701|CD b.c.|NN the|DT Assyrian|NNP armies|NNS of|IN Sennacherib|NNP destroyed|VBD Israel|NNP and|CC moved|VBD southward|NN to|TO besiege|NN Jerusalem|NNP .|. 
Thanks|NNS to|TO King|NNP Hezekiah|NNP s|VBZ hidden|VBN water|NN tunnel|NN ,|, the|DT city|NN narrowly|RB escaped|VBD destruction|NN .|. 
The|DT end|NN of|IN David|NNP s|VBZ dynasty|NN came|VBD in|IN 587|CD b.c.|NN ,|, when|WRB Nebuchadnezzar|NNP ,|, King|NNP of|IN Babylon|NNP ,|, invaded|VBD Judah|NNP to|TO lay|VB siege|NN to|TO Jerusalem|NNP .|. 
When|WRB it|PRP fell|VBD ,|, the|DT Temple|NNP and|CC all|PDT the|DT buildings|NNS were|VBD burned|VBN .|. 
The|DT people|NNS of|IN the|DT once-glorious|JJ city|NN were|VBD forced|VBN into|IN an|DT exile|NN known|VBN as|IN “|" the|DT Babylonian|NNP Captivity|NNP .|. ”|" 

In|IN time|NN ,|, the|DT kingdom|NN of|IN Babylon|NNP was|VBD overthrown|VBN and|CC the|DT Israelites|NNP were|VBD permitted|VBN to|TO return|VB to|TO Jerusalem|NNP in|IN 539|CD b.c.|NN 
The|DT city|NN was|VBD now|RB under|IN the|DT more|JJR tolerant|NN rule|NN of|IN the|DT Persians|NNP ,|, but|CC rebuilding|VBG was|VBD slow|JJ work|NN .|. 
The|DT Second|NNP Temple|NNP was|VBD finished|VBN in|IN 515|CD b.c.|NN ,|, but|CC much|JJ of|IN the|DT city|NN still|RB lay|VB in|IN ruins|NNS .|. 

Jerusalem|NNP submitted|VBD peaceably|RB to|TO the|DT rule|NN of|IN the|DT Greeks|NNPS in|IN 332|CD b.c.|NN under|IN Alexander|NNP the|DT Great|NNP and|CC ,|, subsequently|RB ,|, to|TO his|PRP$ Hellenistic|NNP successors|NNS as|RB well|RB as|IN the|DT Egyptian|NNP Ptolomeys|NNP and|CC the|DT Syrian|JJ Seleucids|NNP .|. 
When|WRB Seleucid|NNP rulers|NNS outlawed|VBD Judaism|NNP ,|, Jews|NNPS led|VBN by|IN Judah|NNP Maccabee|NNP and|CC his|PRP$ brothers|NNS staged|VBD a|DT revolution|NN in|IN 167|CD b.c.|NN and|CC ,|, against|IN all|DT odds|NNS ,|, restored|VBD the|DT primacy|NN of|IN Jewish|JJ religious|JJ life|NN in|IN Jerusalem|NNP .|. 
The|DT Macabbees|NNP cleansed|VBD the|DT Temple|NNP of|IN Hellenistic|NNP idols|NNS and|CC the|DT blood|NN of|IN pagan|NN sacrifices|VBZ ;|: the|DT eight-day|JJ celebration|NN of|IN Hanukkah|NNP (|( Feast|NNP of|IN Dedication|NN )|) commemorates|NNS their|PRP$ victory|NN .|. 
The|DT Hasmonean|NNP dynasty|NN ,|, descendants|NNS of|IN the|DT Maccabee|NNP family|NN ,|, ruled|VBD an|DT independent|JJ Jewish|NNP Commonwealth|NNP that|WDT stretched|VBD from|IN the|DT Negev|NNP to|TO the|DT Galilee|NNP .|. 
Jerusalem|NNP grew|VBD ,|, surrounded|VBN with|IN a|DT formidable|JJ wall|NN and|CC defended|VBN by|IN towers|NNS beside|IN the|DT Jaffa|NNP Gate|NNP .|. 
The|DT Hasmoneans|NNP ruled|VBD until|IN Pompey|NNP s|VBZ Roman|NNP legions|NNS arrived|VBD in|IN 63|CD b.c.|NN 

Roman|NNP Jerusalem|NNP 

After|IN the|DT initial|JJ years|NNS of|IN Roman|NNP administration|NN and|CC political|JJ infighting|NN ,|, Rome|NNP installed|VBD Herod|NNP (|( scion|NN of|IN a|DT family|NN from|IN Idumea|NNP ,|, a|DT Jewish|JJ kingdom|NN in|IN the|DT desert|NN )|) as|IN King|NNP of|IN Judea|NNP .|. 
He|PRP reigned|VBD from|IN 37|CD to|TO 4|CD b.c.|NN ,|, during|IN which|WDT time|NN he|PRP fortified|VBN the|DT Hasmonean|NNP wall|NN and|CC rebuilt|VBN the|DT defense|NN towers|NNS beside|IN Jaffa|NNP Gate|NNP ,|, the|DT foundation|NN of|IN which|WDT still|RB stand|VB .|. 
Several|JJ palaces|NNS were|VBD built|VBN and|CC a|DT water|NN system|NN installed|VBN .|. 
Herod|NNP also|RB completely|RB rebuilt|VBN the|DT Temple|NNP ,|, making|VBG it|PRP one|CD of|IN the|DT most|RBS important|JJ religious|JJ centers|NNS in|IN the|DT Roman|NNP Empire|NNP .|. 
The|DT courtyard|NN around|IN the|DT Temple|NNP was|VBD expanded|VBN to|TO accommodate|VB hundreds|NNS of|IN thousands|NNS of|IN pilgrims|NNS ,|, and|CC the|DT Temple|NNP Mount|NNP was|VBD shored|JJ up|RB by|IN retaining|VBG walls|NNS made|VBN with|IN great|JJ stone|NN blocks|NNS .|. 
One|CD of|IN these|DT walls|NNS ,|, the|DT Western|NNP Wall|NNP ,|, is|VBZ today|NN a|DT major|JJ reminder|NN of|IN Jerusalem|NNP s|VBZ greatness|NN under|IN Herod|NNP .|. 
A|DT massive|JJ fortress|NNS was|VBD built|VBN overlooking|VBG the|DT Temple|NNP Mount|NNP ,|, which|WDT Herod|NNP named|VBD “|" Antonia|NNP ”|" in|IN honor|NN of|IN his|PRP$ Roman|NNP friend|NN and|CC benefactor|NN ,|, Mark|NNP Antony|NNP .|. 

For|IN all|DT his|PRP$ accomplishments|NNS ,|, Herod|NNP was|VBD nevertheless|RB hated|VBN by|IN his|PRP$ subjects|NNS ;|: he|PRP taxed|VBD ,|, he|PRP tortured|JJ ,|, and|CC he|PRP ordered|VBD the|DT massacre|NN of|IN male|JJ Jewish|JJ infants|NNS in|IN an|DT attempt|NN to|TO do|VB away|RB with|IN the|DT heralded|VBN Messiah|NNP .|. 
When|WRB Jesus|NNP was|VBD born|VBN in|IN about|IN 4|CD b.c.|NN ,|, Joseph|NNP and|CC Mary|NNP escaped|VBD Herod|NNP s|VBZ paranoia|NN by|IN fleeing|VBG into|IN Egypt|NNP with|IN the|DT new-born|JJ infant|NN .|. 
They|PRP returned|VBD to|TO live|VB in|IN the|DT Galilee|NNP village|NN of|IN Nazareth|NNP ,|, making|VBG pilgrimages|NNS to|TO Jerusalem|NNP .|. 

According|VBG to|TO biblical|JJ accounts|NNS ,|, Jesus|NNP spent|VBD his|PRP$ life|NN ministering|VBG in|IN the|DT Galilee|NNP Valley|NNP .|. 
In|IN about|IN a.d.|NN 30|CD he|PRP and|CC his|PRP$ followers|NNS went|VBD for|IN Passover|NNP to|TO Jerusalem|NNP ,|, which|WDT was|VBD in|IN unrest|NN at|IN this|DT time|NN ,|, dissatisfied|VBN with|IN Roman|NNP domination|NN .|. 
Jesus|NNP s|VBZ entry|NN into|IN the|DT Temple|NNP caused|VBD a|DT commotion|NN ;|: after|IN the|DT Passover|NNP dinner|NN he|PRP was|VBD arrested|VBN by|IN the|DT temple|NN priests|NNS ,|, who|WP were|VBD under|IN direct|JJ Roman|NNP rule|NN .|. 
Jesus|NNP was|VBD put|VBN on|IN trial|NN quickly|RB and|CC condemned|VBN to|TO crucifixion|NN ,|, a|DT Roman|NNP form|NN of|IN execution|NN for|IN political|JJ and|CC religious|JJ dissidents|NNS as|RB well|RB as|IN for|IN common|JJ criminals|NNS .|. 
In|IN a|DT province|NN rife|JJ with|IN rebellion|NN and|CC retaliation|NN ,|, the|DT execution|NN in|IN Jerusalem|NNP of|IN yet|RB another|DT religious|JJ leader|NN from|IN the|DT Galilee|NNP did|VBD not|RB by|IN itself|PRP have|VBP an|DT immediate|JJ effect|NN on|IN history|NN .|. 

After|IN Jesus|NNP s|VBZ crucifixion|NN ,|, harsh|JJ Roman|NNP rule|NN continued|VBD until|IN a.d.|NN 66|CD ,|, when|WRB the|DT Jews|NNPS rebelled|VBD .|. 
For|IN four|CD years|NNS Jewish|JJ zealots|NNS fought|VBD against|IN the|DT might|MD of|IN Rome|NNP .|. 
At|IN the|DT end|NN ,|, the|DT Roman|NNP general|JJ Titus|NNP laid|VBD siege|NN to|TO Jerusalem|NNP in|IN a.d.|NN 70|CD ,|, finally|RB attacking|VBG its|PRP$ starved|VBN and|CC weakened|VBN defenders|NNS .|. 
Those|DT who|WP didn|NN t|NN escape|NN were|VBD executed|VBN or|CC sold|VBD into|IN slavery|NN .|. 
The|DT Holy|NNP City|NNP and|CC the|DT Temple|NNP were|VBD destroyed|VBN .|. 
The|DT last|NN of|IN the|DT zealots|NNS held|VBN out|IN for|IN another|DT three|CD years|NNS at|IN Masada|NNP (|( see|VB page|NN 76|CD )|) .|. 
Half|PDT a|DT million|CD civilians|NNS died|VBD in|IN the|DT Galilee|NNP and|CC Judea|NNP as|IN a|DT result|NN of|IN this|DT first|JJ revolt|NN against|IN Rome|NNP ,|, a|DT number|NN unequaled|JJ in|IN ancient|JJ warfare|NN .|. 

Christian|NNP and|CC Islamic|NNP Jerusalem|NNP 

For|IN 60|CD years|NNS Jerusalem|NNP lay|VBD in|IN ruins|NNS ,|, until|IN the|DT Roman|NNP Emperor|NNP Hadrian|NNP ordered|VBD the|DT city|NN rebuilt|VBN as|IN a|DT Roman|NNP town|NN dedicated|VBN to|TO Jupiter|NNP .|. 
In|IN outrage|NN ,|, the|DT Jews|NNPS began|VBD a|DT second|JJ revolt|NN against|IN Rome|NNP ,|, led|VBN by|IN Simon|NNP bar|NN Kochba|NNP .|. 
The|DT ruins|NNS of|IN Jerusalem|NNP were|VBD briefly|NN liberated|VBD ,|, but|CC ,|, in|IN the|DT end|NN ,|, Jewish|JJ resistance|NN to|TO Rome|NNP was|VBD defeated|VBN with|IN great|JJ loss|NN of|IN life|NN .|. 
The|DT planned|VBN new|JJ Roman|NNP city|NN ,|, Aelia|NNP Capitolina|NNP ,|, was|VBD built|VBN over|IN the|DT ruins|NNS of|IN Herodian|NNP Jerusalem|NNP ,|, and|CC Jews|NNPS were|VBD barred|VBN from|IN residing|VBG there|RB for|IN all|DT time|NN .|. 
Jerusalem|NNP s|VBZ physical|JJ existence|NN as|IN a|DT spiritual|NN city|NN seemed|VBD finished|VBN ,|, but|CC its|PRP$ spiritual|NN power|NN for|IN Jews|NNPS ,|, and|CC for|IN the|DT struggling|VBG new|JJ Christian|NNP religion|NN ,|, remained|VBD .|. 
For|IN the|DT next|JJ two|CD centuries|NNS Aelia|NNP Capitolina|NNP enjoyed|VBD an|DT innocuous|JJ history|NN .|. 

But|CC the|DT Roman|NNP Empire|NNP became|VBD Christian|NNP in|IN the|DT fourth|JJ century|NN ,|, and|CC Jerusalem|NNP became|VBD a|DT center|NN of|IN religion|NN once|RB again|RB .|. 
Queen|NNP Helena|NNP ,|, a|DT devout|JJ Christian|NNP and|CC the|DT mother|NN of|IN Emperor|NNP Constantine|NNP the|DT Great|NNP ,|, made|VBD a|DT pilgrimage|NN to|TO the|DT Holy|NNP Land|NNP in|IN 326|CD to|TO identify|VB the|DT sites|NNS associated|VBN with|IN Jesus|NNP s|VBZ life|NN .|. 
She|PRP found|VBD that|IN the|DT city|NN s|VBZ most|RBS beautiful|JJ Roman|NNP temple|NN ,|, dedicated|VBN to|TO the|DT goddess|NN Aphrodite|NNP ,|, stood|VBD on|IN the|DT site|NN of|IN the|DT crucifixion|NN .|. 
The|DT temple|NN was|VBD demolished|VBN and|CC a|DT vast|JJ ,|, Classical-style|NNP church|NN was|VBD built|VBN around|IN Golgotha|NNP (|( the|DT hill|NN where|WRB Jesus|NNP s|VBZ crucifixion|NN was|VBD believed|VBN to|TO have|VB taken|VBN place|NN )|) .|. 
Throughout|IN Jerusalem|NNP ,|, other|JJ spots|NNS important|JJ to|TO Jesus|NNP s|VBZ life|NN were|VBD commemorated|VBD with|IN religious|JJ structures|NNS .|. 
Pilgrims|NNP came|VBD from|IN all|DT over|IN the|DT Roman|NNP (|( and|CC ,|, later|RB ,|, Byzantine|JJ )|) Empire|NNP during|IN the|DT following|VBG centuries|NNS ,|, but|CC the|DT prosperity|NN they|PRP brought|VBD lasted|VBD only|RB until|IN 614|CD ,|, when|WRB Persian|NNP armies|NNS overtook|NN Judea|NNP and|CC reduced|VBN Jerusalem|NNP to|TO rubble|NN again|RB .|. 
In|IN 629|CD ,|, Jerusalem|NNP was|VBD recaptured|JJ by|IN the|DT Byzantines|NNP .|. 

Still|RB reeling|VBG from|IN the|DT effects|NNS of|IN the|DT Persian|NNP devastation|NN ,|, Jerusalem|NNP was|VBD conquered|JJ in|IN 638|CD by|IN the|DT forces|NNS of|IN Islam|NNP .|. 
The|DT Temple|NNP Mount|NNP was|VBD identified|VBN in|IN Islamic|NNP tradition|NN as|IN “|" the|DT farthest|JJS spot|NN ”|" (|( in|IN Arabic|NNP ,|, el-aksa|JJ )|) ,|, the|DT site|NN to|TO which|WDT the|DT Prophet|NNP Muhammad|NNP was|VBD transported|VBN in|IN one|CD night|NN from|IN Mecca|NNP on|IN a|DT winged|JJ horse|NN ,|, as|IN described|VBN in|IN the|DT 17|CD th|NN chapter|NN of|IN the|DT Koran|NNP .|. 
From|IN here|RB the|DT Prophet|NNP ascended|JJ to|TO the|DT heavens|NNS and|CC was|VBD permitted|VBN to|TO glimpse|NN paradise|NN .|. 
The|DT rock|NN on|IN the|DT Temple|NNP Mount|NNP from|IN which|WDT he|PRP ascended|JJ ,|, at|IN or|CC close|RB to|TO the|DT site|NN of|IN the|DT ruined|VBN Temple|NNP ,|, was|VBD commemorated|VBD by|IN the|DT construction|NN of|IN the|DT Dome|NNP of|IN the|DT Rock|NNP in|IN 691|CD .|. 
The|DT Dome|NNP of|IN the|DT Rock|NNP remains|VBZ Jerusalem|NNP s|VBZ most|RBS striking|JJ monument|NN ;|: it|PRP is|VBZ counted|VBN among|IN the|DT most|RBS beautiful|JJ buildings|NNS ever|RB created|VBN .|. 
By|IN about|IN 715|CD ,|, the|DT El-|NNP Aksa|NNP Mosque|NNP ,|, third|JJ holiest|JJS place|NN of|IN prayer|NN in|IN Islam|NNP (|( after|IN Mecca|NNP and|CC Medina|NNP )|) ,|, had|VBD been|VBN built|VBN on|IN the|DT southern|JJ side|NN of|IN the|DT Temple|NNP Mount|NNP .|. 
Jerusalem|NNP continued|VBD under|IN Islamic|NNP rule|NN for|IN the|DT next|JJ four|CD and|CC a|DT half|NN centuries|NNS .|. 
In|IN 1099|CD ,|, under|IN their|PRP$ leaders|NNS Godfrey|NNP de|IN Bouillon|NNP and|CC Tancred|NNP ,|, the|DT Crusaders|NNPS captured|VBD the|DT Holy|NNP City|NNP for|IN Christendom|NNP by|IN slaughtering|VBG both|DT Muslims|NNPS and|CC Jews|NNPS .|. 

Crusaders|NNPS ,|, Mamelukes|NNP ,|, and|CC Turks|NNPS 

The|DT Crusaders|NNPS established|VBD a|DT feudal|JJ Christian|NNP state|NN with|IN Godfrey|NNP at|IN its|PRP$ head|NN .|. 
They|PRP built|VBD many|JJ impressive|JJ churches|NNS during|IN the|DT term|NN of|IN the|DT first|JJ Latin|NNP Kingdom|NNP of|IN Jerusalem|NNP ,|, but|CC in|IN 1187|CD they|PRP were|VBD driven|VBN out|IN by|IN Muslim|NNP forces|NNS under|IN the|DT great|JJ warrior|NN Saladin|NNP .|. 
During|IN the|DT Sixth|NNP Crusade|NN (|( 1228|CD –|NN 1229|CD )|) ,|, the|DT Holy|NNP Roman|NNP Emperor|NNP Frederick|NNP II|NNP managed|VBD to|TO secure|VB Jerusalem|NNP for|IN the|DT Christians|NNS by|IN negotiation|NN .|. 

The|DT Christians|NNS ,|, however|RB ,|, could|MD not|RB hold|VB the|DT city|NN .|. 
After|IN they|PRP lost|VBD Jerusalem|NNP ,|, a|DT Mongol|NNP invasion|NN swept|VBD through|IN ,|, and|CC in|IN 1244|CD the|DT Mameluke|NNP dynasty|NN of|IN Egypt|NNP took|VBD control|NN ,|, ruling|NN Jerusalem|NNP for|IN the|DT next|JJ 250|CD years|NNS .|. 
The|DT city|NN struggled|VBD to|TO rebuild|VB from|IN Crusader|NNP wars|NNS and|CC invasions|NNS .|. 
Much|JJ of|IN the|DT best|JJS Islamic|NNP architecture|NN in|IN the|DT city|NN was|VBD constructed|VBN in|IN the|DT Mameluke|NNP era|NN ,|, but|CC the|DT past|JJ thousand|CD years|NNS had|VBD taken|VBN their|PRP$ toll|NN :|: Jerusalem|NNP was|VBD unable|JJ to|TO regain|VB the|DT prosperity|NN it|PRP had|VBD enjoyed|VBN in|IN earlier|JJR times|NNS .|. 

In|IN the|DT early|JJ 16|CD th|NN century|NN ,|, the|DT Ottoman|NNP Turkish|JJ Empire|NNP was|VBD advancing|VBG through|IN the|DT Middle|NNP East|NNP .|. 
Jerusalem|NNP fell|VBD to|TO the|DT Ottomans|NNP in|IN 1517|CD ,|, remaining|VBG under|IN their|PRP$ control|NN for|IN 400|CD years|NNS .|. 
Suleiman|NNP the|DT Magnificent|NNP rebuilt|VBN the|DT walls|NNS and|CC gates|NNS in|IN the|DT form|NN they|PRP retain|VBP to|TO this|DT day|NN .|. 
Fountains|NNP ,|, inns|NNS ,|, religious|JJ schools|NNS ,|, and|CC barracks|NN were|VBD constructed|VBN .|. 
But|CC when|WRB Suleiman|NNP died|VBD ,|, his|PRP$ empire|NN ,|, including|VBG Jerusalem|NNP ,|, began|VBD a|DT long|JJ period|NN of|IN decline|NN .|. 
The|DT Holy|NNP City|NNP remained|VBD a|DT backwater|NN until|IN the|DT 19|CD th|NN century|NN ,|, when|WRB renewed|VBN interest|NN among|IN Christian|NNP pilgrims|NNS made|VBD it|PRP the|DT destination|NN of|IN thousands|NNS of|IN travelers|NNS each|DT year|NN .|. 

19|CD th-|NN Century|NNP Aspirations|NNP 

At|IN the|DT same|JJ time|NN ,|, many|JJ Jews|NNPS sought|VBD religious|JJ freedom|NN and|CC fulfillment|NN by|IN moving|VBG to|TO Palestine|NNP (|( as|IN the|DT Holy|NNP Land|NNP was|VBD traditionally|RB called|VBN )|) and|CC especially|RB to|TO Jerusalem|NNP .|. 
In|IN the|DT 1890s|NN ,|, Theodor|NNP Herzl|NNP (|( 1860|CD –|NN 1904|CD )|) worked|VBD to|TO organize|VB a|DT movement|NN ,|, Zionism|NNP ,|, to|TO create|VB a|DT Jewish|JJ state|NN .|. 
Chaim|NNP Weizmann|NNP (|( 1874|CD –|NN 1952|CD )|) ,|, a|DT scientist|NN born|VBN in|IN Russia|NNP but|CC later|RB a|DT British|JJ subject|NN ,|, did|VBD much|JJ to|TO put|VB Herzl|NNP s|VBZ hopes|VBZ into|IN practice|NN .|. 
Weizmann|NNP was|VBD an|DT important|JJ figure|NN in|IN the|DT negotiations|NNS with|IN the|DT British|JJ government|NN that|WDT led|VBD to|TO the|DT Balfour|NNP Declaration|NNP of|IN 1917|CD ,|, supporting|VBG the|DT idea|NN of|IN a|DT Jewish|JJ “|" national|JJ home|NN ”|" in|IN Palestine|NNP that|IN also|RB respected|VBD the|DT rights|NNS of|IN existing|VBG non-|NN Jewish|JJ people|NNS already|RB living|VBG there|RB .|. 
The|DT problem|NN was|VBD that|IN British|JJ strategists|NNS ,|, who|WP were|VBD fighting|VBG the|DT Ottoman|NNP Turks|NNPS in|IN 1917|CD ,|, had|VBD secretly|RB promised|VBN the|DT lands|NNS to|TO their|PRP$ World|NNP War|NNP I|PRP Arab|JJ allies|NNS .|. 

In|IN 1922|CD the|DT League|NNP of|IN Nations|NNPS granted|VBD the|DT British|JJ a|DT mandate|NN to|TO administer|VB Palestine|NNP .|. 
Jerusalem|NNP flourished|VBD during|IN the|DT early|JJ years|NNS of|IN the|DT Mandate|NNP .|. 
Modern|NNP neighborhoods|NNS ,|, hospitals|NNS ,|, schools|NNS ,|, and|CC the|DT Hebrew|NNP University|NNP were|VBD built|VBN in|IN West|NNP Jerusalem|NNP ,|, the|DT new|JJ Jewish|JJ enclave|NN .|. 
But|CC Arab|JJ opposition|NN to|TO new|JJ Jewish|JJ immigration|NN and|CC construction|NN in|IN Palestine|NNP led|VBD to|TO increasing|VBG strife|NN ;|: by|IN 1946|CD ,|, Jerusalem|NNP was|VBD an|DT armed|VBN camp|NN .|. 
In|IN 1947|CD the|DT United|NNP Nations|NNPS voted|VBD for|IN the|DT partition|NN of|IN Palestine|NNP into|IN two|CD states|NNS ,|, one|CD Jewish|JJ and|CC one|CD Arab|JJ ,|, with|IN Jerusalem|NNP as|IN an|DT international|JJ city|NN that|WDT belonged|VBD to|TO neither|DT .|. 
But|CC lacking|VBG the|DT means|NNS to|TO enforce|VB its|PRP$ decision|NN ,|, the|DT United|NNP Nations|NNPS was|VBD powerless|JJ to|TO halt|VB the|DT fighting|VBG that|WDT erupted|VBD as|IN the|DT British|JJ withdrew|VBD their|PRP$ troops|NNS in|IN 1948|CD .|. 

Modern|NNP Israel|NNP 

The|DT State|NNP of|IN Israel|NNP was|VBD declared|VBN during|IN this|DT difficult|JJ time|NN .|. 
In|IN response|NN ,|, member|NN states|NNS of|IN the|DT Arab|NNP League|NNP sent|VBD troops|NNS to|TO help|VB the|DT Palestinian|NNP Arabs|NNPS .|. 
West|NNP Jerusalem|NNP ,|, separated|JJ from|IN the|DT rest|NN of|IN the|DT new|JJ Jewish|JJ nation|NN ,|, held|VBN out|IN under|IN siege|NN for|IN several|JJ months|NNS until|IN Israeli|JJ forces|NNS secured|VBD a|DT land|NN corridor|NN connecting|VBG the|DT city|NN to|TO the|DT coastal|JJ areas|NNS .|. 
Jews|NNS were|VBD evacuated|VBN from|IN the|DT Old|NNP City|NNP s|VBZ Jewish|JJ Quarter|NN ,|, and|CC thousands|NNS of|IN Arab|JJ families|NNS fled|VBD their|PRP$ homes|NNS in|IN West|NNP Jerusalem|NNP .|. 
As|IN a|DT result|NN of|IN armistice|NN agreements|NNS in|IN 1949|CD ,|, Jerusalem|NNP was|VBD divided|VBN :|: West|NNP Jerusalem|NNP was|VBD to|TO be|VB under|IN Israeli|JJ control|NN ,|, and|CC East|NNP Jerusalem|NNP (|( including|VBG the|DT Old|NNP City|NNP ,|, with|IN its|PRP$ Jewish|JJ ,|, Muslim|NNP ,|, Christian|NNP ,|, and|CC Armenian|JJ quarters|NNS )|) came|VBD under|IN Jordanian|NNP authority|NN .|. 
Free|JJ access|NN to|TO holy|JJ sites|NNS for|IN members|NNS of|IN all|DT religions|NNS was|VBD guaranteed|VBN by|IN the|DT armistice|NN agreements|NNS .|. 
However|RB ,|, with|IN the|DT city|NN partitioned|JJ by|IN fortifications|NNS and|CC barbed|VBN wire|NN ,|, no|DT Israeli|JJ or|CC Jewish|JJ pilgrims|NNS were|VBD allowed|VBN to|TO visit|VB the|DT Western|NNP Wall|NNP or|CC other|JJ Jewish|JJ sites|NNS in|IN East|NNP Jerusalem|NNP .|. 

For|IN the|DT next|JJ 19|CD years|NNS ,|, Jerusalem|NNP was|VBD two|CD cities|NNS .|. 
Political|JJ and|CC religious|JJ boundaries|NNS were|VBD aggravated|VBN by|IN occasional|JJ incidents|NNS of|IN terrorism|NN or|CC sniping|NN until|IN the|DT Six|CD Day|NNP War|NNP in|IN June|NNP 1967|CD .|. 
Within|IN three|CD days|NNS the|DT city|NN was|VBD completely|RB in|IN Israeli|JJ hands|NNS ,|, and|CC in|IN two|CD weeks|NNS it|PRP was|VBD physically|RB and|CC administratively|RB reunited|VBN .|. 
Jerusalem|NNP s|VBZ mayor|NN ,|, Teddy|NNP Kollek|NNP ,|, spent|VBD the|DT next|JJ 25|CD years|NNS orchestrating|VBG a|DT vast|JJ program|NN of|IN development|NN ,|, adding|VBG new|JJ cultural|JJ institutions|NNS and|CC parks|NNS and|CC instituting|VBG neighborhood|NN restoration|NN projects|NNS while|IN tirelessly|RB me|PRP diating|VBG the|DT concerns|NNS of|IN Jerusalem|NNP s|VBZ many|JJ communities|NNS .|. 

Today|NN ,|, as|IN always|RB ,|, Jerusalem|NNP is|VBZ a|DT city|NN of|IN controversies|NNS :|: religious|JJ Jews|NNPS in|IN conflict|NN with|IN secular|NN Jews|NNPS ;|: Palestinians|NNPS calling|VBG for|IN independence|NN ;|: many|JJ residents|NNS protesting|VBG a|DT wave|NN of|IN high-rise|JJ development|NN that|IN many|JJ claim|NN will|MD turn|VB the|DT Holy|NNP City|NNP into|IN a|DT holy|JJ megalopolis|NNS .|. 
But|CC the|DT ideas|NNS and|CC mystique|NN that|WDT have|VBP always|RB made|VBN this|DT an|DT extraordinarily|RB special|JJ place|NN rise|NN above|IN the|DT ebbing|VBG and|CC flowing|VBG concerns|NNS of|IN present-day|JJ Jerusalem|NNP as|IN it|PRP continues|VBZ to|TO tug|NN at|IN the|DT world|NN s|VBZ attention|NN into|IN the|DT new|JJ millennium|NN .|. 

