little eminence on which the hated Syrian Akra had stood (1 Mc 1:33; 13:49-53). Herod enlarged this area on three sides (north, west and south) creating an immense platform whose sides measured 1035 (N) x 1536 (E) x 912 (S) x 1590 (W) feet.
Since he had to build out over three slopes, this involved gigantic retaining walls to hold the fill within. Many of the huge stones are still visible on the south and in the tunnel along the western wall.
There were two gates on the south, four on the west facilitating access from the center of the city, and one on the north, by which animals were brought in from the countryside for sacrifice; this was the Sheep Gate of John 5:2.
We know from the detailed description of Josephus that magnificent cloisters ran around the north, west and east sides (War 5.184-225). In these the teachers sat with their pupils. One winter’s day Jesus walked with his disciples in the eastern cloister called Solomon’s Portico (John 10:23). Later the apostles preached there (Acts 3:11; 5:12).
The place of a cloister along the south wall was taken by the Royal Portico, so called from its majestic proportions. Columns 50 feet high divided it into three aisles. Each was 30 feet wide, and the center aisle was twice as high as the lateral aisles. Much of the commercial business of the city took place here. This is probably where the money changers had their tables. No wonder that Jesus reacted as he did (John 2:13-16).
The limits of the original square Temple were marked by a waist-high wall at each of whose gates was a notice forbidding entrance under pain of death to all non-Jews. Pagans had access only to the Court of the Gentiles, the northern and southern parts of which were linked by a narrow passage