Jerusalem, City of Jesus: An Exploration of the Traditions, Writings, and Remains of the Holy City From the Time of Christ

In "Jerusalem, City of Jesus," Richard Mackowski examines the Holy City of Jesus' day, offering well-informed insights into what Jerusalem might have looked like before its destruction in AD 70. He does so by first consulting the most recent archaeological, philological, and historical studies, and then reconstructing, as it were, those areas of the city most important to Jesus' ministry, giving special attention to those sites associated with Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection in AD 30. Because Jerusalem is strategically located at the physical center of the Holy Land, Mackowski surveys both the important roads leading to the city and its geology and topography. He also examines its massive ramparts and attempts to unearth in tradition and literature the names, locations, and functions of the seven gates of New Testament Jerusalem. Other chapters study, for example, the water systems from the time of David to the time of Jesus, and assess the authenticity of shrines commemorating biblical events. An epilogue recreates the events of Holy Week. This book is lavishly illustrated with more than 150 color photographs, including excellent pictures of as yet unpublished excavations, and also 30 colored maps.