Mosaic, St Mark's Basilica (Venice).

Seeking Solomon

For traditionalists, the biography of King Solomon is enshrined in the Bible, in the narrative accounts in the books of Kings and Chronicles. The son of King David, who spent his career battling Israel's enemies, Solomon is depicted as ushering in an era of peace and prosperity. Yet the Bible also relates that Solomon took numerous foreign wives and concubines—one thousand in total—who led him to worship foreign gods and build shrines for their service.

Kings of Controversy  Robert Draper,  National Geographic.  Was the Jerusalem of David and Solomon a little cow town, or the capital of a glorious empire?  SAVE

Solomon: the Symphony  Eric Herschthal,  Jewish Week.  In a work scored for three keyboards, four percussionists, electric guitar, bass, and five vocalists, a young American composer explores the biblical king's search for divine wisdom.  SAVE

SAVE "Seeking Solomon"

Virtual archeology, Khirbat en-Nahas.

Science, Faith, and Biblical Archeology

Biblical archeology was born out of twinned desires: to "illuminate" the world of the Bible and, ultimately, to prove the truth of the Word.

A View from On High  An international project superimposes information regarding archeological sites in the Holy Land onto Google Maps.  SAVE

The Megiddo Expedition  Tel Aviv University.  Excavations at "the jewel in the crown of biblical archeology"; the official website. (With photos and video.)  SAVE

David's Palace  Gary Glassman,  Nova.  An interview with Eilat Mazar on her finds in Jerusalem and their significance. (2007, with video and updates.)  SAVE

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Digging King Herod

King Herod was a Jew of doubtful origin who ruled Israel in the years 40-4 B.C.E. During this same period, the Roman republic was being replaced by the Roman Empire with its vast expansionist aims. Relying on Roman support for his power, Herod was, in effect, Israel's little Roman emperor. And he played the part, bringing administrative order and economic prosperity to the country and creating hugely ambitious architectural projects. In the Roman way, he was also cruel, paranoid, and thorough, killing his wife, three sons, and an assortment of other relatives and confidants.

Herod Inspires New Controversy  Samuel Sockol,  Washington Post.  The discovery of Herod's tomb stirs up a hornet's nest of political passions.  SAVE

Herod Revealed  Tom Mueller,  National Geographic.  Israelis are reckoning with the questions raised by Herod's life and architectural achievements.  SAVE

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The New Israel Museum

An expanded and revamped Israel Museum re-opened to the public in late July after three years of renovations. While the modest architecture remains as it was, the modernist cubes rolling with the Jerusalem landscape, the jumble of buildings has been streamlined: 25,000 square feet of exhibition space have been added, but the number of items on display has been reduced by a third. Overall, the design is significantly more user-friendly, with a spacious new entrance hall leading to the museum's remarkable collections, including its three most significant wings: archeology, Jewish art and life, and fine art.

Universalism at the Heart of the Universe  Felice Friedson,  gantdaily.  In an interview, the director of the Israel Museum explains why Jerusalem is the most fitting place to make a statement about universality.  SAVE

The Place of Art  Ellie Armon Azoulay,  Haaretz.  To Yigal Zalmona, a museum's purpose includes being critical of government, of society, and of its own ties to wealth and other material factors.  SAVE

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