One Small Step

...not all roads lead to Rome...

Jerusalem's first century mall: the paving stones suffered some damage when the Romans demolished the wall above, and stones weighing 2.5 tons each crashed down onto the street below, some from a height of 180ft [55m]. The street, 10 meters wide, was lined with stores on either side. It ran about a kilometer from the Pool of Siloam in the south to the Antonia Fortress at the north-west corner of the Temple Mount, where Pontius Pilate is believed to have held court on Passover.

This Roman street, just behind the fortress, was perhaps where Jesus was given the cross to carry to His Crucifixion. Definitely a road from the time of the Emperor Hadrian, it was probably the same road from the first century.

 

 

Below the Stoa (where the money-changers sat), on the southern wall of the Temple Mount, was the main entrance and exit for the common folk. The closer set of steps led up to arched gates and stairs under the Stoa ascending to the Temple. Those who had made their sacrifice exited onto the larger set of steps, then three times the width of those now visible, but still the original steps. Here was a popular gathering place for those who wanted to hear and be heard; much like Speakers' Corner in London's Hyde Park.