Eyewitness Descriptions of the Second Temple Structure

The Letter of Aristeas, a pseudepigraphic work about the translation of the Bible into Greek attributed to an official of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285–246 BCE), includes the official’s recollections of Jerusalem and the Temple from his journey there from Egypt. Josephus also offers several detailed descriptions of the Temple in his writings. In The Jewish War, he describes the Temple’s construction and renovation over many generations, culminating in Herod’s magnificent restoration. In Against Apion, he counters the allegation that the Jews offered foreigners as human sacrifices by describing the courtyards that restricted foreigners from entering the Temple.