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SOMETIMES KNOWN AS HEROD'S TEMPLE, OR AS THE SECOND TEMPLE (SOLOMON'S BEING THE FIRST)
It was destroyed by Rome in 70 AD/CE. But after Hadrian's rebuilding of Jerusalem as Aelia Capitalina,
a temple to Jupiter was built just south of its ruins about where the Al Aksa mosque now stands today
(The Jewish temple at Leontopolis in Egypt, based on a similar layout, was shut down in 73 AD/CE by Lupus,
Roman governor of Alexandria, on Caesar's orders, after 228 years of unbroken service.)
Approached from the East, the Susa gate led into the Outer Court (Court of the Gentiles, not shown above, where the High Priest had leased out space for money-changers and animal sellers). The priestly distinction between this Court of the Gentiles and the Court of Israel (and Women's Court) was in direct contradiction of God's instruction to Israel that –
| "You shall have the same rule for the foreigner and for the citizen, for I am the LORD your God." Lev.24:22. |
| "For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you, a statute forever throughout your generations. You and the sojourner shall be alike before the LORD." Num.15:15. |
From this Outer Court, the Beautiful Gate led into the Women's Court, in the corners of which were four small courts. From the Women's Court (the limit of women's access) the Nicanor Gate (of 'Corinthian bronze' made in Alexandria) led at the top of the semi-circular steps up into the Court of the Israelites, where men could observe the functions of the priests as they offered sacrifice on behalf of the worshipers.