Aelia Capitolina was a Roman city established in the 2nd century CE on the ruins of Jerusalem after the destruction of the city by the Romans during the First Jewish-Roman War (70 CE) and its further desolation following the Bar Kokhba revolt (132–135 CE). It was founded by the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who sought to erase the Jewish connection to the area and transform it into a fully Romanized city.
Origin of the Name
The name Aelia Capitolina combines Hadrian’s family name, Aelius, and a reference to the Capitoline Triad, a group of Roman deities (Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva) worshipped at Rome’s Capitoline Hill. This naming underscored the city’s dedication to Roman gods and culture.
The Jews were largely barred from entering the city except on the 9th of Av, the day of mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples. This exclusion was a direct attempt to suppress Jewish identity and connection to the land.
Historical Significance
The creation of Aelia Capitolina was part of Hadrian’s broader strategy to integrate the Eastern provinces into the Roman Empire through urbanization and cultural assimilation. However, it also became a focal point of resistance, particularly during the Bar Kokhba revolt, which sought to reclaim Jerusalem and restore Jewish autonomy. The failure of the revolt resulted in harsh repression, further marginalizing the Jewish people.
Aelia Capitolina remained a Roman city until the rise of the Byzantine Empire, when it regained its significance as a center of Christian pilgrimage, owing to its association with the the story of Jesus. Over time, the city’s Roman name faded, and Jerusalem reclaimed its prominence in the religious and cultural history of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
During the Middle ages, a thousand year period from 500-1500 CE, Jerusalem was the focal point of numerous Crusades and counter-crusades resulting in physical destruction of the city and the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of lives from both crusaders and defenders. For most of the time, the Jewish population was marginalized, replaced by a growing non-Jewish population due mainly to the Roman occupation.
Today, remnants of Aelia Capitolina, such as sections of the Cardo and Roman gates, are visible in Jerusalem, offering insights into its Roman past and the enduring legacy of Hadrian’s ambitious urban vision.