Murphy-O’Connor, Jérôme (Wydawnictwo Towarzystwa Naukowego Katolickiego Uniwersytetu Lubelskiego, 2003)
Recent studies have permitted greater certainty regarding the architectural evolution of the Temple of the Jews in Jerusalem. The Solomonic Temple had been rebuilt twice before it was greatly extended by Herod the Great. Archaeological evidence shows that he extended the previous Temple on the northern, western, and southern sides. After being destroyed by the Romans, this temple remained in ruins until the site was appropriated by the caliph Omar in 628. Islam glorified the great espanade by the erection of the Dome of the Rock in 691, and by the construction of beautiful buildings around the periphery by Mamluk sultans (1260-1517). Both Herod and his Muslim successors used religious structures to make political statements.
