Iron Age Gate Structures Menu

Joel Drinkard

Instructor Helps and Suggestions:

The article deals with the Mudaybi` gate complex and its relationship to other Iron II gate complexes. It also includes a brief study of the history of gate structures in ancient Syria-Palestine. Many of the elements of gate structures are mentioned, as well as a reconstruction of the Mudaybi` gateway.

1. The article could well be used by the instructor as a resource for a lecture on architecture in the Iron Age (or given as a student assignment). This article could be used alongside other articles on this web site such as “The Volute Capitals of Mudaybi`” and “Iron Age Military Sites in Moab.”
    

2. A study could be made of Monumental Gateways and Processional Ways. What monumental architecture characterized these structures in Mesopotamian and Syro-Palestinian sites? Compare the Processional Way and Ishtar Gate complex as reconstructed in Babylon with the Mudaybi` gate complex (granted ours is a much smaller scale!) and other gate complexes (such as Geshur/Bethsaida). A good additional resource for such a study is The Architecture of Ancient Israel, edited by Aharon Kempinski and Ronny Reich. The web site www.geocities.com/Area51/Cavern/5178/city.html has some data on the Ishtar Gate in ancient Babylon.
    

3. A couple questions for reflection might be used in conjunction with students being assigned this article for study:

   1. Why were monumental gateways constructed? What were their purposes beyond defense? Why would one invest so much time/effort/wealth on a monumental gateway at a small site on the edge of the desert? Certainly this gate complex is much grander than necessary for a military fortress. (To show the wealth/power of a central government; to indicate the importance of a particular site; to intimidate visitors with the wealth/power of the central authority; to show the presence of a central authority at a remote site; etc)

   2. What type activities took place in a gate complex? What activities are described in the Bible and/or other historical documents as occurring in the vicinity of the gate? (Activities mentioned in the Bible include the king sitting in the gate [2 Sam 19:9], justice being dispensed in the gate [Amos 5:10-15], elders meeting and transacting business in the gate [Gen 23, Ruth 3], sanctuaries and shrines are associated in some sites with the city gates, etc.).