Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the Akra Fortress in Jerusalem
And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes… And when he had taken the spoils of the city, he set it on fire, and pulled down the houses and walls on every side. Then they surrounded the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with mighty towers, and made it a strong hold for them. (1 Macc. 1:10–33).
After Antiochus Epiphanes came to power, a period of religious persecution against the Jews began, during which they were forced to break the commandments of the Torah. Antiochus also invaded Jerusalem and built a fortress there called the Akra.
In the excavations of the Givati Parking Lot in the City of David, a portion of massive fortifications was discovered, including a wall, a gigantic tower more than 18 m long, and an earthen rampart that protected the base of the tower. The excavators, Dr. Doron Ben-Ami and Yana Tchekhanovets believe these are the remains of the Akra built by Antiochus Epiphanes, although this theory is disputed by other scholars.
Some 20 years after it was built, the Hasmoneans, led by Simon the brother of Judah the Maccabee, were able to conquer and destroy the fortress.
In the picture: coins of Antiochus Epiphanus discovered in Jerusalem.
In the picture: reconstruction of the fortification discovered in the Givati Parking Lot (the Akra?) according to Dr. Eyal Meiron. Illustration: Shalom Kweller