Aelia is a term that primarily refers to Aelia Capitolina, the Roman city built on the ruins of Jerusalem following its destruction in 70 AD. The name "Aelia" is derived from the family name of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, Publius Aelius Hadrianus, who ordered the construction of the city around 130 AD. The addition of "Capitolina" refers to the dedication of the city to Jupiter Capitolinus, the chief deity of Roman religion, reflecting the Roman intent to impose their culture and religion upon the region.

Historical Context

The establishment of Aelia Capitolina was a significant event in the history of Jerusalem and the Jewish people. After the Bar Kokhba Revolt (132-135 AD), a Jewish uprising against Roman rule, Hadrian sought to suppress Jewish nationalism and prevent further revolts. The transformation of Jerusalem into a Roman city was part of this strategy. Jews were banned from entering the city, except on the day of Tisha B'Av, which commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples.

Biblical Significance

While the term "Aelia" itself does not appear in the Bible, the events surrounding the establishment of Aelia Capitolina have profound implications for biblical history and prophecy. The destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent Roman occupation are seen as fulfillments of Jesus' prophecy concerning the fate of Jerusalem. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus foretells the destruction of the city: "For the days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you, surround you and hem you in on every side. They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God" (Luke 19:43-44).

Theological Implications

The establishment of Aelia Capitolina and the exclusion of Jews from Jerusalem can be seen as part of the broader narrative of God's judgment and redemption. The destruction of the city and the dispersion of the Jewish people are often interpreted as divine judgment for the rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. However, this period also sets the stage for the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles, as the early Christian church began to grow and expand beyond the confines of Jewish society.

Christian Tradition

In Christian tradition, the transformation of Jerusalem into Aelia Capitolina is viewed as a pivotal moment in the history of the early church. The city's paganization and the construction of Roman temples on sacred Jewish sites were seen as acts of desecration. However, the eventual Christianization of the Roman Empire and the subsequent restoration of Jerusalem as a center of Christian pilgrimage are seen as signs of God's providence and the triumph of Christianity over paganism.

Legacy

The legacy of Aelia Capitolina is still evident in the modern city of Jerusalem. The Roman layout of the city, including the Cardo (main street) and other architectural features, can still be seen today. The history of Aelia Capitolina serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between politics, religion, and prophecy in the history of Jerusalem, a city that remains central to the faith and identity of Christians around the world.AELIA

e'-li-a.

See JERUSALEM.

Later Greek Versions.
... Hadrian employed his relative to superintend the building of Aelia Capitolina on
the site of Jerusalem, and while there Aquila was converted to Christianity by ...
/.../chapter ii later greek versions.htm

A Source Book for Ancient Church History
... Adoptionists, 172. Advent, second. See "Chiliasm.". AElia Capitolina, 361.
AEons. See "Gnosticism," "Basilides," "Valentinus.". Africa ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/index 2.htm

The Ceremonies and Discipline Op the Church as Illustrated by ...
... Israelitish race, by their conduct at this juncture, grievously provoked the emperor;
and when he had rebuilt Jerusalem, under the name of Aelia Capitolina, he ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter xii the ceremonies and.htm

The Catholic System.
... But it had been recently dissolved, and a new society, composed, to a great extent,
of new members, was now in process of formation in the new city of Aelia. ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter viii the catholic system.htm

Five Catechetical Lectures the Same Author,
... vocibus aures; Assuescunt oculi multa pudenda pati." A theatre is mentioned as one
of the buildings erected by Hadrian in his new City Aelia Capitolina built ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/five catechetical lectures the same.htm

Index.
... to Acilius Glabrio (cut), 4; to Pomponius, 9; found near Porta del Popolo in 1877,
15 (cut); to M. Anneus Paulus Petrus, 16 (cut); to Publia AElia Proba, 19 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lanciani/pagan and christian rome/index 2.htm

The Early History of Particular Churches.
... The ruins of the ancient city were completely destroyed, whilst no Jew was allowed
to enter the new city of Aelia Capitolina, which was built on its site. ...
/.../a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter vii the early history.htm

The Transformation of Rome from a Pagan into a Christian City.
... The first defies interpretation;[14] the second mentions the name of a little girl,
Publia AElia Proba, who was the daughter of a captain of the ninth ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter i the transformation of.htm

Pagan Cemeteries.
... Claudius restored the title to him, as a wedding-present, on the day of his marriage
with Antonia, daughter of the emperor himself by AElia Paetina. ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter vi pagan cemeteries.htm

[Endnotes]
The Ancient Church. <. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/endnotes.htm

Aelia
Aelia. Aedias, Aelia. Aeneas . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia AELIA.
e'-li-a. See JERUSALEM. Aedias, Aelia. Aeneas . Reference Bible.
/a/aelia.htm - 6k

Jerusalem (782 Occurrences)
... they were driven out of it with great slaughter, and the city was again destroyed;
and over its ruins was built a Roman city called Aelia Capitolina, a name ...
/j/jerusalem.htm - 89k

Iconium (6 Occurrences)
... It was Hadrian who raised the city to colonial rank; this is proved by its new title,
Colonia Aelia Hadriana Iconiensium, and by a recently discovered ...
/i/iconium.htm - 12k

Aeneas (2 Occurrences)

/a/aeneas.htm - 7k

Aedias

/a/aedias.htm - 6k

Christs (2 Occurrences)
... After tremendous efforts the rebellion was crushed, and Jerusalem was converted
into a Roman colony (Aelia Capitolina), which Jews were forbidden to enter. ...
/c/christs.htm - 14k

Golgotha (4 Occurrences)
... (4) The highly improbable theory that the Capitolium of AElia Capitolina (the name
given by Hadrian to his new Jerusalem) stood where the Church of the Holy ...
/g/golgotha.htm - 19k

False.
... After tremendous efforts the rebellion was crushed, and Jerusalem was converted
into a Roman colony (Aelia Capitolina), which Jews were forbidden to enter. ...
/f/false..htm - 16k

Septuagint
... emperor; there is no probability in Epiphanius' further statement that Hadrian
entrusted to Aquila the superintendence of the building of Aelia Capitolina on ...
/s/septuagint.htm - 38k

Money (284 Occurrences)
... After the revolt of Bar-Cochba and the final subjugation of the Jews by Hadrian,
Jerusalem was made a Roman colony and the name was changed to Aelia Capitolina ...
/m/money.htm - 69k

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