towers stood the Royal Palace, of the most commanding elegance. Incredible cost had furnished its pillars, porticos, galleries and apartments. Its gardens, groves, fountains, aqueducts and walks presented the richest and most delightful scenery. This was the beauty and elegance of the north side of Jerusalem. On the east side, stood the temple and the fort of Antonio, over against Mount Olivet. This fort was built on a rock fifty feet in height and of inaccessible steepness, overlaid with slabs of marble. The castle of Antonia stood in the centre of this fortress. The workmanship of this castle made it more resemble a palace than a castle. A tower adorned each square of this fortress—one of which was seventy cubits high, and commanded a full view of the temple.
Jerusalem, the city of the Great King, was originally a city of the Jebusites,[1] from whom it was taken by King David, and made the capital of Judea. For many centuries it might have been called God's capitol on earth. God said, alluding primarily to this city, The Lord hath
chosen Zion to be a habitation for himself. Here will I dwell, for I have desired it, &.c. The Lord of Hosts is with us—the God of Jacob is our refuge. In Salem [Jerusalem] stood his Tabernable, and his dwelling place in Zion.
THE UPPER CITY.
The House of the Mighty, the House of David, Zion, or the city of David. The House of Solomon, built for Pharaoh's daughter. Hippodrome and Upper Markets. The Fountain Gate on the west, the Water Gate on the East, the Dung Gate on the N. W., the Fort of Antiochus,
&c. &c.
THE LOWER CITY.
The temple was built on Mount Moriah [on the east side] and the fort of Anthony. Bezeta or the New Town, Salem or the Lower Town. The Queen's House, the House of Holens Ophel, Dwellings of the Nethinim. The Fish Gate and Ephraim Gate on the North. The Sheep Gate and
- ↑ Jebus, the third Bon of Canaan, and grandson of Ham. The warlike Jebusites had long defended themselves against the Hebrews. Gen. ii. 15, 16. 2 Samuel v. 6, Josephus.
