The Wuthering Heights of Sartaba-Alexandrion скачать в хорошем качестве

The Wuthering Heights of Sartaba-Alexandrion

Sartaba, also known as Alexandrion, is a prominent mountain in the Jordan Valley, rising approximately 377 meters above sea level. It is best known for its strategic and historical significance, particularly during the Hasmonean and Herodian periods. The fortress atop Sartaba was originally constructed by the Hasmonean ruler Alexander Jannaeus (r. 103–76 BCE) as part of a network of strongholds securing Judea’s eastern frontier. Its commanding position provided a natural defense and a vantage point overlooking the Jordan Valley and the road leading to Jerusalem. During the reign of Herod the Great (r. 37–4 BCE), Alexandrion was among the fortresses he inherited and later reinforced. It served not only as a military stronghold but also as a place of exile for Herod’s political rivals, including members of his own family. Notably, Herod imprisoned and later executed his Hasmonean brother-in-law Aristobulus III there. Sartaba also played a role in the Jewish signaling system used to announce the new moon. In the Second Temple period, bonfires were lit atop the mountain to transmit news of the beginning of the Jewish month from Jerusalem to communities in the Diaspora. Today, the ruins of Alexandrion remain a testament to the site’s turbulent history, and its location within the modern-day Jordan Valley makes it a point of interest for scholars and visitors alike. Its archaeological remains provide insight into the fortification systems of the Hasmonean and Herodian dynasties and their control over Judea’s border regions.