Research Proposal on "Seven Gates of Jerusalem"

Research Proposal 8 pages (2312 words) Sources: 4 Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Gates

Jerusalem is a city cloaked in intrigue and the city is of great importance to Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike. There are many aspects of the city that have been studied, including the ancient infrastructure of the city. The purpose of this discussion is to provide information concerning the origin and meaning of the seven gates of Jerusalem. The research will demonstrate that the History of the Seven Gates of Jerusalem is meaningful to the ancient city.

History of the seven gates

There were originally 11 gates of Jerusalem at the current time only seven of these gates are in use. The gates were built. The names of the seven gates that are still in use are the Damascus Gate, the dung Gate, Zion Gate, Lion's gate, Jaffa Gate, Gate of Flowers and the New Gate. The remaining for gates that are closed includes the Golden gate, the single gate, the double gate and the Huldah gate. For the purposes of the discussion we will focus on the seven gates that are still open.

To better understand the location of the gates it is essential to know that Jerusalem is divided into four main quarters the Armenian quarter, the Jewish quarter, the Muslim quarter and the Christian quarter. The following map depicts the quarters and gates.

It is also important to recognize the tumultuous history of Jerusalem. Strubbe (1998) explains

Though Jerusalem means "City of Peace" in Hebrew, its history has been anything but tranquil. It was besieged and occupied over three dozen times, and most conquerors altered the fortifications. In the time of Kings David and Solomon, the walls enclosed only the Temple Mount and a small district to the south, subsequently destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. And then by the Romans in 70 B.C. The Crusaders and Turkish Ottomans further altered it, with the present walls and gates dating from 1537-1541 (Strubbe, 1998)."

With these things understood let us now discuss each gate separately. This aspect of the discussion will focus on when the various gates were built and the historic significance of the gates.

Damascus Gate (Shechem Gate)

This gate is located on the Northern Wall. The current gate was built in 1853.

The Damascus gate is so named because it leads to the ancient city of Damascus (current day Syria). It was on the road to Damascus that Saul was blinded by the light of God and was renamed Paul. Currently this is the busiest of the seven gates. It was originally built for those of high status and the side entrances of this gate were designed for those of lower social status. This is a grand gate and the largest of all eleven gates (the Old City Gates).

During the Byzantine period this was known as Saint Stephens's gate (Jerusalem's Gate). It was believed during this time that Saint Stephen was killed close to the sight of this gate. In addition to the Damascus gate, Lion's gate is also referred to as Saint Stephens Gate because some believe that St. Stephen was martyred near that gate which is located on the East wall. This will be explored in further detail later on in the discussion.

Dung Gate

The original Dung Gate was believed to have been an estimated 500 yards away from the valley gate (Walton et al., 2000). In addition, the Dung Gate led into the Valley of Hinnom. It also led to the spring of En Rogel. The current Dung Gate came into existence under the Ottoman Empire.

The current dung gate is located on the south wall, is the gate nearest to the temple mount. It is located at the southern tip of Jerusalem.

It is so named because it has been used to carry refuse (waste/sewage) away from the city.

Zion Gate

The Zion gate, once referred to as the Mount Zion Gate is located on the South Wall. According to Boas (2001) the southern city wall was realigned in the eleventh century. Since this time the southern most section of Mount Zion stopper at the old Mount Zion Gate. The old Mount Zion Gate is located 100 meters east of the current Zion gate. The current Zion gate was created during the sixteenth century on top of the ruins of a medieval tower.

The author also explains that excavations that took place in 1974 found a partially refurbished medieval Zion Gate tower. The excavation also found an inscription at the sight which is believed to be evidence that the gate was erected during the Ayyubid period around 1212 (Boas, 2001). It is believed that it was erected by, al-Malik al-Mu'azzam Sharf al-D" n 'Isa, the Ayyubid ruler of Damascus (Boas, 2001). Although the gate that is currently present is most likely Ayyubid, it can also be assumed that another gate was located here during the end of Cardo, this would have been prior to the erecting of the Zion gate tower by al-Mu'azzam 'Isa (Boas, 2001). The author also asserts that some aspects of the old gate may have been integrated into the current gate (Boas, 2001).

The site of the current Zion gate has historical significance because it was through this gate that the old city was capture in 1967 by the Israel defense forces (the Old City Gates). It also serves as the entrance to the Jewish and Armenian quarters of Jerusalem.

This gate is located to the South near mount Zion.

According to one author

Mount Zion is regarded as one of the holiest areas in Jerusalem, associated with Christ's last days on earth. He held his Last Supper here. After the Crucifixion it was on Mount Zion that He appeared to his disciples and his Mother. Mary lived and died here in a house that became known as the Holy Cenacle (Carlson, 1951)."

As you can see this particular gate is historic and vitally important as it pertains to religious beliefs of Christians and Jews. The gate leads the way to a very historic and important site.

Lion's Gate (St. Stephen's Gate/Gate of the Pillar)

The Lion's gate on the East wall is so named for the four lions that surround the gate. There are two lions on each side of the gate. This gate leads to the Via Delarosa (Jerusalem's Gate). The Via Delarosa is the road that leads to the place where it is believed that Jesus Christ was crucified. This gate also has historical significance to Israel because it was through this gate that paratroopers entered the city during the sixth day war and placed the Israeli flag above the temple mount (Jerusalem's Gate).

Lion's Gate is also known as St. Stephens Gate, as it was called St. Stephens gate during the time of the Crusaders. It was named this because it is located close to the place where some believe that St. Stephen was martyred. As with many places in Jerusalem, the true location of historic events is sometimes unknown because there have been so many changes to the city over time. Lion's gate is just one instance of this in Jerusalem.

According to Boas (2001), at the current time it is also sometimes referred to as the Gate of our Lady Mary because it leads to the place of Mary's tomb. Mary was the mother of Jesus Christ. She is revered in the Christian faith and is of particular importance to those that practice Catholicism.

Jaffa Gate (Hebron Gate)

This gate was built in 1538 by the Turkish upon the ruins of the Crusader gate. This gate is the only gate located on the Western wall and is the main gate leading into the Old City. The gate leads to both the Armenian and the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem. One author describes the gate in the following manner,

Several hundred feet beyond the gate at the wall's northwest corner angle stand the remains of Tancred's Tower, named for a Crusader who helped capture Jerusalem in 1099. It was also called the Castle of Goliath because the Crusaders believed the encounter between David and Goliath occurred there. Outside the walls up Jaffa Street, the heart of the Jewish New City sprawls relentlessly west and north (Strubbe, 1998)."

Jaffa Gate was once known as David's Gate. According to Boas (2001), the author explains that David's gate was in the center of the Western wall, at the western section of David street. Prior to the expansion of the citadel in the 1160's it is believed that the wall was adjacent to the Tower of David. It is believed that this is the previous location of David's gate because of the way Porta David is depicted on medieval maps. Additionally, it is confirmed through various historical writings that the gate was located against the tower. Today the gate is located west of the Tower of David.

The author also explains that David's gate was an important one in the city of Jerusalem. Apparently the importance of this gate is evidenced… READ MORE

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