The City of Tiberias
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A photochrom image of
Tiberias in the late 19th -
century, courtesy of the Library of Congress
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Ancient coins found at the site from the time of Emperor Claudius, in 54 AD, show that during this period the city was called "Klaudiopolis" (City of Claudius). Some believe that it has received the status of "polis", a city-state, only during this period.
Between the 2nd and the 10th centuries, Tiberias had a large and well-developed Jewish population. With the banning of Jews from establishing a spiritual center in Jerusalem, after its destruction by the Romans in 70 AD, Tiberias served as a main Jewish spiritual center in the Holy land over the centuries.
With the Arab conquest of the Holy Land, Tiberias was captured by the Arabs in 635. It became the capital city of the "Jordan District". During the rule of the Islamic Caliphate, the city was largely destroyed by a devastating earthquake in 749 AD .
In 1099, Tiberius was captured by the Norman leader of the First Crusade, Crusader Prince Tancred. It became the capital of the Principality of Galilee which was part of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
The Battle of Hattin which took place in 1187 near Tiberias, brought the end to the Crusader's Principality of Galilee, and the Mamluk period which had followed left the city as a wasteland, apart of a small Jewish community which continued to exist there.
In the course of the following Crusades, the city had swapped hands several times and was destroyed completely.
The Battle of Hattin which took place in 1187 near Tiberias, brought the end to the Crusader's Principality of Galilee, and the Mamluk period which had followed left the city as a wasteland, apart of a small Jewish community which continued to exist there.
In the course of the following Crusades, the city had swapped hands several times and was destroyed completely.
It wasn't until the 16th century when under Ottoman era when a large enterprise to develop and expand the city took place, and the Jewish settlement in Tiberias was renewed, under the efforts of Gracia Mendes Nasi - one of the wealthiest Jewish women of Renaissance Europe.
Today, Tiberias is considered an important tourist center, based both on its proximity to the Sea of Galilee and the holy sites within and around it, which attract both Christian and Jewish pilgrims.
The city also serves as an industrial and commercial center, in the region of the Galilee.
Located in the Jordan Valley at 690 feet below sea level, Tiberias is Israel's lowest city.
The city also serves as an industrial and commercial center, in the region of the Galilee.
Located in the Jordan Valley at 690 feet below sea level, Tiberias is Israel's lowest city.
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