The Economic Hinterland of Jerusalem in the Herodian Period / העורף הכלכלי של ירושלים בתקופה ההרודיינית

The article attempts to trace the interdependence between Jerusalem and its periphery. It examines how Jerusalem influenced its environs, and how the periphery contributed to the economy of the city. The second part of the article is devoted to changes that occurred in the pattern of settlement around Jerusalem in the transitional period between the Hasmonean and Herodian periods, closely examining what factors caused these changes and what influence they had on its economy. The size of Jerusalem at the close of the Second Temple Period had a definite influence on the pattern settlement in its environs. The closest independent settlements were approximately 4—6 km from the city, while in its immediate vicinity were a number of satellite communities—some were suburbs and others industrial areas. This period was marked by close commercial ties between Jerusalem and its surrounding area, attested to by historical evidence and recent archaeological findings. Herod's intensive construction brought in its wake significant changes in the pattern of settlement in Jerusalem's periphery. Some of the earlier estates were abandoned as their inhabitants moved away to engage in construction, while many construction workers moved into the city, greatly increasing its population. It is suggested that the new neighborhood of Bezetha, north of the core city, was founded by them. As a result of the abandonment of the urban area around the city and the influx of new inhabitants, there developed a serious shortage of agricultural produce supplied by Jerusalem's periphery. The author suggests that in order to overcome this shortage, the boundaries of the city, in terms of Jewish law, were expanded, thus enlarging the city's hinterland under religious criteria. This would oblige farmers living further away from the city to bring a certain proportion of the produce to the Temple, which had not been the case in the past. It is also highly probable that the Jericho region now supplied much of the agricultural produce for the daily needs of the Temple.