Dynamics of Geography: Multiplicity of Significance on a Piece of Land

From the first chapters of Jerusalem: one city, three faiths it was interesting to see how what we would normally consider a Jewish city or state to instead be shared by other groups at differing times. But first before going into Zion, or Zaphon according to Baal, I feel it is necessary for me to have some input. . It was a classical studies class in which I learned about ancient architecture. One of the first lessons was on what I believe to be Ophell Hill. As described by Armstrong, “it started at an opening in the rock within the city, descended obliquely, and then plunged vertically to meet the water which had been conveyed from the Gihon (Spring) by means of another horizontal tunnel” (6). Apparently there is speculation on the formation of the tunnel and its primary use. From my class we learned that it was used as an escape route for civilians whenever the nearby fortress was attacked. I think this bit of information is important to understanding how dynamic geographical zones can be. There is reason to believe that it was used for access to water while also a safe escape route. Then onto Zion, I think it is an interesting debate that sacred places are not just sacred for one religion but for multiple. This is expressed today with how Christians, Jews, and Muslims’ attachment to Jerusalem. There is many reasons for why a place may be sacred and I think it comes down to exploration and geography. I could imagine that a group of people embarking on new land find something ‘unique’ about the territory. That could be enough reason to declare that the divine has chosen that land. The people of Ugarit found the mountain sacred because of Baal’s victories there (17). Through mythological stories of the divine, people are able to justify the significance of a location without the need to point to geography. And if you look at Baal and members of that religion, they had established temples. The temple is a powerful man-made sacred place which can be adopted by later religions. This effect of establishing a place as sacred is almost natural.