Episode

All I Want for Chanukah is a New Hasmonean Wall in Jerusalem, or, Shameless Holiday Tie In Edition

Podcast

This Week in the Ancient Near East

Published

Dec 15, 2025

Duration seconds

2162

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not_requested

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https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/e/all-i-want-for-chanukah-is-a-new-hasmonean-wall-in-jerusalem-or-shameless-holiday-tie-in-edition/

Audio

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/2ytrc5s2xkdspz46/podcast_129_-_12_14_25_1055_AMbuqij.mp3

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Summary

The discovery in Jerusalem of a big section of the late second century BCE Hasmonean city wall from has us asking the usual questions. Actually the reverse of the usual questions: not who put it up but who took it down, the Hasmoneans themselves or that Herod guy? Which satisfying, text based historical scenario should we choose? With a seasonally appropriate and tasty lightning round!