Editing Aelia Capitolina (section)

==Founding==
In 129–130 CE, Hadrian visited [[Judaea (Roman province)|Judaea]]. Jerusalem, once heavily rebuilt by [[Herod the Great]], was still in ruins following the decisive siege of the city in 70 CE as part of the [[First Jewish–Roman War]]. The emperor resolved to reconstruct the city as a Roman colony dedicated to Jupiter.{{sfn|Magness|2024|pp=294–295}} The decision to rebuild the city with a pagan character proved highly controversial among the Jewish population, who saw it as a direct affront to their identity. [[E. Mary Smallwood|Mary E. Smallwood]] writes that the foundation of Aelia Capitolina was likely "an attempt to combat resurgent Jewish nationalism" by secularizing the Jewish capital.{{sfn|Smallwood|1976|p=434}} Martin Goodman describes Hadrian's decision as a deliberate effort to enact a "final solution for Jewish rebelliousness," aiming to erase the city permanently and prevent future uprisings, both in Judaea and among diaspora communities, as [[Diaspora Revolt|had occurred]] under [[Trajan]].{{sfn|Goodman|2004|p=27–28}} According to Goodman, the foundation of a Roman colony—rather than a Hellenistic [[polis]]—was designed to transplant foreign populations and impose Roman religious practices. While Hadrian established many cities, this case was distinct, as it was "not to flatter but to suppress the natives."{{sfn|Goodman|2004|p=27–28}}

{{stack|
{{multiple images
| align             = left
| footer            = The first coin issued at the mint of Aelia Capitolina about 130/132. Reverse: COL[ONIA] AEL[IA] CAPIT[OLINA] COND[ITA] ('The founding of Colonia Aelia Capitolina'), showing Hadrian while ploughing the first furrow.
| footer_align      = center
| image1            = Hadrian founder Aelia Capitolina.jpg
| width1            = {{#expr: (100 * 500 / 243) round 0}}
| image2            = Dictionary of Roman Coins.1889 P15S0 illus022.gif
| width2            = {{#expr: (100 * 155 / 151) round 0}}
}}
}}

In the past, conflicting accounts in ancient sources led scholars to debate whether Aelia Capitolina's foundation was a cause or a consequence of the [[Bar Kokhba revolt]] (132–135 CE).{{sfn|Smallwood|1976|p=433}} According to [[Cassius Dio]], Hadrian's decision to rebuild Jerusalem and erect a temple to Jupiter on the site of the former Jewish Temple was a direct catalyst for the revolt. He writes that the construction "''caused a long and serious war, since the Jews objected to having gentiles settled in their city and foreign cults established there''."{{Efn|Cassius Dio, LXIX, 12, 1-2{{sfn|Smallwood|1976|p=432}}}} In contrast, [[Eusebius|Eusebius of Caesarea]], writing from a Christian perspective, framed the establishment of Aelia Capitolina as a punitive measure following the Jewish defeat.{{sfn|Smallwood|1976|p=433}} He wrote that when the city "h''ad been emptied of the Jewish nation and had suffered the total destruction of its ancient inhabitants, it was colonized by a different race, and the Roman city which subsequently arose changed its name and was called Aelia''".{{Efn|Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, IV, 6.3–6.4{{sfn|Magness|2024|p=307}}}}{{sfn|Magness|2024|p=307}} Supporters of this view regarded the construction of Aelia Capitolina as part of Hadrian's broader policies to suppress Jewish nationalism following the revolt, inclduing the prohibition of circumcision, the expulsion of Jews from Jerusalem, and the renaming of Judaea as [[Syria Palaestina]], removing its Jewish-associated name.<ref>Elizabeth Speller, {{Google books|id=3c8kB3m0r8kC|page=218|title=Following Hadrian: A Second-Century Journey Through the Roman Empire}}, Oxford University Press, 2004, p. 218</ref>

The discovery of Aelia Capitolina coins struck before the revolt, found in a building abandoned prior to the uprising and in coin hoards from [[Bar Kokhba refuge caves]], has provided strong archaeological evidence that the city's foundation preceded the revolt.{{sfn|Magness|2024|p=307}}{{sfn|Eshel|2006|p=107}} This evidence has led most modern historians to favor Cassius Dio's account, placing Hadrian's urban and religious policies as key factors that contributed to Jewish resistance. Meanwhile, Eusebius' interpretation, which presents the city's reconstruction as a post-revolt punishment, is now seen as likely influenced by a [[Supersessionism|supersessionist]] theology.{{sfn|Magness|2024|p=307}}{{Infobox Historical Era|name=Aelia Capitolina (Jerusalem)|image=Roman Empire 125.png|caption=Jerusalem in the Roman empire under [[Hadrian]] showing the location of the Roman legions|start=AD 130|end=AD 324–325|before=[[Jerusalem during the Second Temple Period#Herodian period|Jerusalem during the Early Roman period]]|after=[[History of Jerusalem during the Middle Ages#Byzantine rule|Jerusalem during the Byzantine period]]}}