not at all surprisingly, Jerusalem has had a rich and interesting history for thousands of years. of course a lot of events and changes have happened here- it is the central place to 3 of the world's biggest religions. it is incredible to me how many people, from the Romans and the Byzantines to the Arabs and the Crusaders have fought over this place in the past- how many people have lost their lives to try and gain control of this city.
these articles enforce the fact that there has always been changes, often major ones, in Jerusalem. in the past the changes were sometimes slower- a few hundred years in the control of the Israelites or Greeks, and sometimes quicker; the Babylonians ruled for less than 50 years.
in modern day, though, the changes go quicker.
Khalidi made an important point, though- the histories of the region is different depending on who you talk to.
it is seriously incredibly how many different civilizations have risen and fallen in the same city. sounds like an archeologist's dream!
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