Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem

Israel and Judah: two kingdoms, different histories

Israel and Judah were neighboring kingdoms with distinct capitals: Samaria in the north and Jerusalem in the south. Their rulers, sanctuaries and communities developed amid trade, regional rivalry and the ambitions of larger empires. An Egyptian inscription names Israel around 1208/1207 BCE; later inscriptions and archaeological remains illuminate the kingdoms and their changing political strength.

Assyria ended Israel’s monarchy; Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and its temple. Persian restoration, Hellenistic rule and Herod’s monumental building brought further transformations before Rome’s destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. Across these changes, Jerusalem became central to traditions of scripture, worship and communal memory that continue to shape Jewish, Christian and, in later centuries, Muslim traditions. The scale of David and Solomon’s earlier kingdom remains debated; the Tel Dan reference to the “House of David” identifies a dynasty rather than its territory.

Assyria reshapes the region

Assyrian conquest ended Israel’s monarchy in the late eighth century BCE. Judah survived, but faced imperial demands and devastating campaigns. In 701 BCE, Sennacherib captured Lachish and other Judean cities; Jerusalem remained under Hezekiah. The member discussion of Sennacherib’s inscription illuminates these different outcomes. Explore the siege reliefs on the Assyria page.

Babylon conquers Jerusalem

Babylon captured Jerusalem in 597 BCE, replacing its king and deporting people. The later destruction of the city and temple, commonly dated 587 or 586 BCE, was a separate catastrophe. These successive disruptions provide essential context for exile passages.

Life under Persian rule

After Persia conquered Babylon in 539 BCE, Judah belonged to a new imperial setting. Return and rebuilding did not restore an independent kingdom. Jerusalem’s temple was rebuilt, while Jewish communities also continued beyond Judah.

Jerusalem under Greek and Roman rule

Alexander’s conquests brought another change, followed by Ptolemaic, Seleucid and Hasmonean rule. Under Roman-backed Herod, the rebuilt Second Temple and its platform were greatly expanded. The stonework below belongs to this later precinct. Roman forces destroyed the temple in 70 CE; the timeline continues through the Bar Kokhba revolt.