AN N E 10w 1/6/11 Lecture

During our first lecture of the quarter, the class focused on what makes Jerusalem a great city and how is it a sacred place. A few things that make a place "sacred" would be a place where someone important was born, something happened there (usually supernatural), or a location connected by major trade routes. The Via Maris (Great Trunk Road) and The King's Highway (Transjordan) are two major trade routes thart are located around Jerusalem. The geography of Jerusalem is very interesting and unique. It is separated by three valleys: Kidron Valley in the East, Hinnom Valley in the West, and the Turopean Valley in the center. The fact that Jerusalem is on a hill is super significant theologically and tactically. Invasion of Jerusalem is difficult because of the hills the invaders would have to climb in order to reach the city. Theologically, Jerusalem is supposed to be the center of the world, and being at a higher level shows its superiority.

Jerusalem is separated into 4 sects or quarters: Christianity, Islam, Jewish, and Armenian. Some consider the Temple Mount to be the 5th quarter of Jerusalem. Inside Jerusalem is also the "Western Wall" which is on the west wall of the Temple Mount. It is the holiest site in Judaism. Outside the walls of the Old City is the City of David, where the area was first civilized. On the edge of the City of David is the Gihon Spring. This was extremely important because it is a crucial water source to keep the city running. Being bordered by the desert, a water source was vital to the establishment of the city. This spring is mentioned in the Bible to be a river that was in the Garden of Eden. This leads people to believe that Jerusalem, being within the Garden of Eden, is sacred land.

Learning about the geography and layout of Jerusalem was very interesting and helpful in understanding the importance of the location of the city. Knowing where the Mount of Olives and different rivers are key in understanding biblical literature and other texts. I was especially interested when I learned that the Gihon Spring is mentioned in the Bible. I never knew that the Garden of Eden could have been possibly that big and cover so much land. I'm excited to see what next lecture has to offer.