Lachish in Lakhish Regional Council, Southern District, Israel — West Asia (the Levant in the Middle East)

Confronting Enemy Threats - the City’s Fortifications

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 3, 2019

1. Confronting Enemy Threats - the City’s Fortifications Marker

Inscription. Lachish was situated close to the western border of the Kingdom of Judah, facing the Philistines cities and on the to Egypt. Because of the city’s location, the kings of Judah built particularly strong fortifications for it, including a number of components: a broad (about 6 meters thick), high wall surrounding the city; a steep artificial slope (glacis) to prevent the enemy from scaling the wall; another wall in the middle of the slope to support the glacis; and a moat dug around the base of the city wall. The only access to the city was through the gate.

Why was the access path to the gate built to the left of the wall?
In antiquity soldiers would carry their sword or spear in their right hand and their shield in their left hand. When ascending to the gate, soldiers would be exposed to attack by the wall’s defenders on their right side - the unprotected side. This made it more difficult for them to use their weapons effectively.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 701 CE.

Location. 31° 33.88′ N, 34° 50.853′ E. Marker is in Lachish, Southern District, in Lakhish Regional Council. Marker can be reached from Southern District Route 3415, 2.3 kilometers south

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of Southern District Route 35, on the right when traveling south. Unfortunately, Google maps does not provide any names for two of the key roads that one will need to use to get to this marker. So from the intersection of Route 35 and Route 3415, go south on Route 3415 for 2.3 kilometers and turn right on an un-named road. Proceed south on the un-named road for 750 meters and the first road that you come to on your left, turn left onto another un-named road. Travel 400 meters over this second un-named road and you will arrive at the parking lot for the Israeli National Park that features the ruins of ancient Lachish, where this marker is located, at the top of the Judean ramp, and in the city gate complex. Touch for map. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 18 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Welcome to the City Gate (here, next to this marker); Testimony to Approaching Disaster - the Lachish Letters (a few steps from this marker); Might and Authority - the Royal Palace (within shouting distance of this marker); Artist's Rendering of the City Gate (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Tel Lachish National Park (about 120 meters away); Assault by Sennacherib's Army (about 120 meters away); Tel Azekah (approx. 17.2 kilometers away in Jerusalem District).

More about this marker. Regarding the marker itself, there is a vertical timeline

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 3, 2019

2. Confronting Enemy Threats - the City’s Fortifications Marker

A close up view, of the illustration that appears on this marker, showing an artist's rendering of how the city's access path to the gate would have complimented the defensive fortifications.

on the left side of the marker that runs from 1029 BCE to 586 BCE. The timeline identifies the years 1029 to 928 BCE as being the era of the Kingdoms of Saul, David and Solomon. Then, the years 928 to 720 BCE as being the era of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And then, the years 720 to 586 as being the era of the Kingdom of Judah, with the notation that the destruction of the First Temple takes place in 586 BCE. This timeline also includes a short highlighted parallel timeline that identifies the years 727 to 698 BCE as being the time of the Kingdom of Hezekiah, with the notation that the year 701 BCE was the year of Sennacherib's conquest of Lachish.

Regarding the marker location, in 2019, because I traveled to Israel as part of a tour group, taking pictures of historical markers and recording location information for each marker that I photographed was a difficult assignment. Then too, having two bad knees and walking with a cane made keeping up with my tour group, much less recording location information as well, even more difficult. So I am using my Google Map skills, from at home, to provide the needed location information and map coordinates. Anyone that visits these markers is welcomed, and encouraged, to improve on the provided information.

Also see . . .
1. Lachish (BiblePlaces.com). This is a link

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 3, 2019

3. Confronting Enemy Threats - the City’s Fortifications Marker

View of the marker situated in the ruins of Lachish's ancient gateway enclosure.

to additional information regarding this marker. (Submitted on April 24, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

2. Tel Lachish - Wikipedia. This is a link to additional information regarding this marker. (Submitted on April 24, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

3. Lachish - Jewish Virtual Library. This is a link to additional information regarding this marker. (Submitted on April 24, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

4. Why Lachish Matters · The BAS Library. This is a link to additional information regarding this marker. (Submitted on April 24, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 3, 2019

4. Confronting Enemy Threats - the City’s Fortifications Marker

Another view of the featured marker, seen as the back maker in a pair of markers, situated in the ruins of Lachish's ancient gateway enclosure.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 94 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 24, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.