What is the timeline of Jerusalem? This page offers a comprehensive, English-language timeline of Jerusalem’s key historical events, from its earliest mentions in ancient texts to its reunification in the modern era. Designed for filmmakers, educators, historians, and faith-based content creators, this guide is structured to answer common questions about Jerusalem’s political, religious, and cultural milestones.
What are the key historical periods in Jerusalem?
Early Biblical Era: From First Settlements to Solomon’s Temple (3500 BCE–931 BCE)
- 3500 BCE: First settlement above the Gihon Spring
- 19th Century BCE: First mention as Rusalimum in Egyptian texts
- 14th Century BCE: Appears in Amarna Letters as Urusalim
- 1003 BCE: King David makes Jerusalem capital of the United Monarchy
- 950 BCE: Solomon begins building the First Temple
Kingdoms and Exile (931 BCE–332 BCE)
- Division into Israel and Judah, Hezekiah’s tunnel, Assyrian conquest
- Babylonian capture and destruction of First Temple (586 BCE)
- Return from exile, Second Temple rebuilt (515 BCE)
Greek and Roman Rule (332 BCE–135 CE)
- Hellenization begins with Alexander the Great
- Maccabean Revolt, Hasmonean dynasty, Herod’s expansion of the Second Temple
- Destruction of Second Temple by Romans in 70 CE
- Renaming of city to Aelia Capitolina after Bar Kochba revolt (135 CE)
Christian and Byzantine Period (135–638 CE)
- Helena’s pilgrimage, Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- Periodic return of Jews under Byzantine rule
Islamic and Crusader Period (638–1517 CE)
- Dome of the Rock (691), Al-Aqsa Mosque (701)
- Crusader capture (1099), Saladin’s recapture (1187)
- Mamluk governance, Jewish learning centers re-established
Ottoman Period (1517–1917 CE)
- Suleiman builds city walls and gates
- Jewish immigration, early Zionist visits (Herzl, Montefiore)
Modern Jerusalem: British Rule to Present Day (1917–Today)
- British Mandate and Hebrew University founded
- 1948: State of Israel declared, city divided
- 1967: Six-Day War and reunification of Jerusalem
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Jerusalem in 70 CE?
In 70 CE, Roman general Titus destroyed the Second Temple during the Siege of Jerusalem. This marked the end of Jewish sovereignty in the region until modern times.
Who built the Second Temple in Jerusalem?
The Second Temple was completed under Zerubbabel in 515 BCE after the return from Babylonian exile, with further expansions under Herod the Great.
When was Jerusalem first mentioned in history?
Jerusalem is first recorded in the 19th Century BCE as “Rusalimum” in the Egyptian Execration Texts.
What is the biblical significance of Jerusalem?
Jerusalem is central to the Bible — as the capital of David’s kingdom, the site of the First and Second Temples, and the location of Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection.
What makes this Jerusalem timeline unique?
This timeline is curated with filmmakers and Christian content producers in mind. It connects biblical milestones to cinematic potential, providing visual and narrative anchors for faith-based storytelling.
Full Chronological List of Events
Below is the detailed chronological list from the original research archive. This section preserves the full timeline for academic and production-related reference.
3500 BCE
The first settlement of Jerusalem took place on the Ophel above the Gihon Spring
19th Century BCE
The first recorded mention of Jerusalem as Rusalimum was in the Egyptian Execration Texts
14th Century BCE
Diplomatic correspondence refers to Jerusalem as Urusalim in the Amarna Letters
1010–970 BCE
King David’s reign
1003 BCE
Jerusalem is established by King David as the capital of the United Kingdom of Israel
970–931 BCE
King Solomon’s reign
950 BCE
King Solomon begins construction of the First Temple
931 BCE
The Land of Israel is divided into the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah
837–800 BCE
Tunnels conduit from water from the Gihon Spring to the Siloam pool during the reign of Hezekiah, the King of Judah
721 BCE
The Northern Kingdom of Israel is conquered by the Assyrians and 10 of the 12 tribes are carried into captivity and eventually dispersal.
701 BCE
Sennacherib’s assault on Jerusalem is successfully withstood by Hezekiah
598–587 BCE
The second invasion by Nebuchadnezzar
597 BCE
Jerusalem is captured by the Babylonians
588–586 BCE
The third invasion by Nebuchadnezzar
586 BCE
Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple and the exile of its people to Babylon (Lam 1.4 / 2.2)
539 BCE
Babylon’s fall
538 BCE
Cyrus’s edict
537 BCE
As a result of King Cyrus’s edict, the remnant of the 50,000 Jews who were exiled to Babylon are returned to Israel
520 BCE
Work begins on rebuilding the Temple
515 BCE
Completion and rededication of the Second Temple under Zerubbabel (Ezra 6.15-18)
458 BCE
Ezra the Scribe returns from Babylon and the Law is revived
445 BCE
Upon Nehemiah’s return from Babylon, Artaxerxes, appoints him governor of Judea and city walls are rebuilt
397 BCE
Religious reforms are initiated by Ezra, the Scribe
332 BCE
Darius is defeated at Gaugamela by Alexander the Great and Palestine is conquered from the Persians (Daniel 11.3); Jerusalem is captured and the Hellenization of the Holy City commences
323 BCE
Alexander dies in Babylon and the Wars of Succession start
320 BCE
Jerusalem is captured by Ptolemy I
320–198 BCE
The reign of Egyptian Ptolemies
198–167 BCE
The Syrian Seleucids rule
169 BCE
Judaism is outlawed by the Seleucid king, Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–163) and on December 25th, the Temple is profaned
167 BCE–63 BCE
The Hasmonean Period
166 BCE
The Maccabean revolt is begun by the priest Mattathias
164 BCE
Jerusalem is recaptured by Judah the Maccabee; the Temple is restored
150 BCE
The Essene community is established
63 BCE
Jerusalem is captured for Rome by General Pompey
40 BCE
Herod King of Judea is appointed by Rome
40–4 BCE
Herod the Great rules
37 BCE
Jerusalem is captured by King Herod the Great
18 BCE
The rebuilding of the Temple is begun by Herod
4 BCE
The death of Herod the Great
26–36 CE
Pontius Pilate is Roman procurator of Judea; the Crucifixion of Jesus
41–44 CE
The new city wall (“Third Wall”) is built by Agrippa, king of Judea
66–73 CE
The Great Revolt against the Romans
70 CE
Titus destroys Jerusalem and the Second Temple
73 CE
Masada falls
132–135 CE
Bar Kochba leads a war for freedom; Jerusalem once again becomes the Jewish Capital
135 CE
Emperor Hadrian destroys Jerusalem and rebuilds it as Aelia Capitolina; Jews are banned from the city
326 CE
Queen Helena visits Jerusalem; Church of the Holy Sepulchre is constructed
438 CE
Jews are permitted by Empress Eudocia to live in Jerusalem
614 CE
Jerusalem is conquered by Persians who destroy churches and exile Jews
629 CE
Byzantines recapture Jerusalem
638 CE
Caliph Omar enters Jerusalem; Jews are readmitted
691 CE
Caliph Abd al-Malik completes the Dome of the Rock
701 CE
Caliph al-Walid completes the al-Aqsa Mosque; destruction of synagogues and churches is ordered by Caliph al-Hakim (1010)
1099 CE
Crusaders, led by Godfrey de Bouillon, capture Jerusalem
1187 CE
Saladin recaptures Jerusalem and allows Jews and Muslims to return
1192 CE
Treaty between Richard the Lion-Hearted and Saladin
1219 CE
City walls torn down by Sultan Malik-al-Muattam
1244 CE
Khawarizmian Turks capture Jerusalem
1260 CE
Egyptian Mameluks capture Jerusalem
1267 CE
Arrival of Rabbi Moshe Ben Nahman (Nahmanides)
1348 CE
Jerusalem is hit by the Black Death Plague
1488 CE
Rabbi Obadiah of Bertinoro leads Jewish community in Jerusalem
1517 CE
Ottoman Empire peacefully takes over Jerusalem
1537–1541 CE
City walls and gates built by Suleiman the Magnificent
1700 CE
Rabbi Yehuda He’Hassid arrives; Hurva Synagogue built
1836 CE
Sir Moses Montefiore visits Jerusalem
1838 CE
Opening of British consulate in Jerusalem
1860 CE
First Jewish settlement outside city walls established
1898 CE
Dr. Theodor Herzl visits Jerusalem
1917 CE
British General Allenby enters Jerusalem
1918 CE
Foundation stone of Hebrew University laid
1920 CE
Sir Herbert Samuel appointed British High Commissioner
1925 CE
Inauguration of Hebrew University buildings
1947 CE
UN votes for partition of Palestine
14 May 1948 CE
State of Israel declared
1948 CE
New City of Jerusalem survives; Old City captured by Jordan
April 1949 CE
Israel–Jordan Armistice divides Jerusalem
13 December 1949 CE
Jerusalem declared capital of Israel
1965 CE
Teddy Kollek elected Mayor of Jerusalem
5–7 June 1967 CE
Six-Day War; Jerusalem is reunified by Israeli forces
Resources for Filmmakers and Researchers
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