Jerusalem: The Making of a Holy City
Historian Simon Montefiore follows a chronological journey to trace and illuminate the sacred and peerlessly beautiful history of Jerusalem, one of the oldest cities in the world.
- 2011-2011
- 1 season
- Documentary
Historian Simon Montefiore follows a chronological journey to trace and illuminate the sacred and peerlessly beautiful history of Jerusalem, one of the oldest cities in the world.
Season 1 Episode Guide
3 Episodes 2011
Episode 1
Well-Spring of Holiness
60 mins
Jerusalem was established as a fortress no later then the Canaanites, at the site of a sacred spring where human sacrifices occurred. Far from major trade routes, it remained a minor town, until king David, uniting the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel and Juda, chose it as 'neutral' capital. King Solomon gave it unprecedented splendor with his Temple, but it was ruined as the whole country was open to military campaigns or occupation from mighty neighbors, like the Egyptian Pharaohs, Assyria which imposed the great exile and Neo-Babylon, Achaemenid Persia which allowed the Hebrews to return, Alexander the Great and his Hellenistic 'diadoch' successor monarchs, then became a minor province of the Roman empire which allowed an autonomy under ruling High Priests alongside client 'tetrarch' princes like the Herods, only to regain great, religious status with the Holy land as Christianity rose to state religion.
Episode 2
Invasion Invasion Invasion
59 mins
Simon discovers the impact on the holy city of a new faith: Islam. He explores Muhammad's relationship with Jerusalem, the construction of one of Islam's holiest shrines, the Dome of the Rock, and the crusaders' attempts to win it back for Christianity. He also brings to life lesser-known characters, whose impact still resonates, Al Hakim's destructive delusions of grandeur and Queen Melisende's embellishment of crusader Jerusalem.
Episode 3
Judgement Day
59 mins
Simon Sebag Montefiore presents a series illuminating the history of Jerusalem. He explores how it rose from a crumbling ruin after the crusades to be rebuilt as a world center of Islamic pilgrimage. Here, he explores the emergence of Zionism and the growing Jewish population of the city, and traces the origins of today's nationalist struggle.