8th – 6th centuries BCE: Expansion of settlement from the “City of David” to the Western Hill, with new domestic quarters built, and fortifications including the construction of the “Broad Wall”, perhaps at the time of King Hezekiah. This city was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE.
Late 2nd century BCE: Construction of “First Wall” fortifications to replace the ruined Iron Age defenses, by Jonathan and Simon in ca. 140 BCE.
Late 1st century BCE to 1st century CE: Construction of palace of Herod the Great in the “Upper City” of Jerusalem and nearby aristocratic and priestly quarters. Jerusalem is destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE.
5th century CE to mid-7th century CE: Domestic and monastic quarters are built on the summit of Mount Zion around the Church of St Mary. The mountain is surrounded by a fortification wall, perhaps built by Eudocia. At the time of Justinian (mid 6th century), an enormous church (the Nea) was built and it effected the topography of the area.
Mid-7th to 11th century CE: Early Islamic domestic quarters are established on the mountain.
Early 13th century CE: Construction and razing of a fortification wall built by al-Malik al-Muazzem Issa.
1540s: Construction of present-day Old City walls by Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent.
