Name

King Herod actually rebuilt an existing fortification known as the "Baris" (Heb. Bira "fortress). It was called the Fortress of Antonia and named in honor of Herod the Great’s friend and military associate, the Roman Triumvir Marcus Antonius also known as Mark Antony. Herod had owed his rule over Judea exclusively to Mark Antony, who had requested that the Senate make Herod King of Judea as an eastern boundary to the Empire.

The name Antonia was not used in the Bible but referred to as the "barracks" (see Acts 21:32-36).

In Greek it was "to anastema tes Antonias".

In Latin it was "turris Antonia".

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