Jerusalem, whose name to some means the ‘City of Peace,’ has been anything but peaceful during the past four millennia. There have been at least 118 separate conflicts in and for this city since 2000 BCE —from local religious struggles to strategic military campaigns. Jerusalem has been destroyed completely at least twice, besieged 23 times, attacked an additional 52 times, captured and recaptured 44 times, been the scene of 20 revolts and innumerable riots, had at least five separate periods of violent terrorist attacks during the past century, and has only changed hands completely peacefully twice in the past 4,000 years. Many of these conflicts left evidence in the archaeological record and recent archaeological discoveries have shed new light on these military, political, and religious struggles. Free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Support for this event comes from the Louis and Bessie Stein Foundation, The Milton and Miriam Handler Foundation, and the Friends of Judaic Studies. Kathy.carll@drexel.edu, 215-895-6388.
