Skip to content
History–Tours
70AD 70 · Temple Mount, Jerusalem

Roman siege of Jerusalem and destruction of the Second Temple

David Roberts's painting of the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in AD 70
Archival image: David Roberts. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

During the Jewish revolt against Rome, the future emperor Titus besieged Jerusalem, and in AD 70 his troops burned the Temple that Herod had rebuilt. Jewish worship shifted from sacrifice to synagogue and study, and the loss is still mourned on Tisha B'Av. The Western Wall, part of the retaining wall of the Temple platform, became Judaism's holiest place of prayer.

Sites

  1. Site 1: Western WallHerodian retaining wall and prayer plaza.Map ↗
  2. Site 2: Jerusalem Archaeological Park (Davidson Center)Herodian street with stones thrown down by Roman troops still in place.Map ↗
  3. Site 3: Burnt House, Jewish QuarterPriestly family's house destroyed by fire in AD 70.Map ↗

Guides who take you there

History-only · order never for sale
We haven't found an independent history guide for this yet. Guide here? Tell us about your tours.

Also in Jerusalem

More from the Ancient World

Read more: reference. Summary written by History-Tours.com.