In 35 B.C. King Herod rebuilt the Baris, a strong fortress to protect the Temple Mount and the primary military fortification of Jerusalem. He must have built it before the defeat of Antony by Octavian in 31 B.C. or else it would have been foolish to name it Antonia, Octavian’s rival.
The Antonia Fortress overlooked the Temple and the city of Jerusalem and became another of Herod's landmarks. Herod had no doubt used this as his palace for many years, since he did not build his new palace on the west side of the city until around 23 B.C. At some point the Romans took over the Antonia Fortress and placed a garrison there.
