Roman propaganda coins of Aelia Capitolina, the Temple Mount and Church of the Holy Sepulcher

When Rome destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70, the next step was to erase the presence of JudeoChristianity. The coin below was one of the instigators of the Bar Kochba revolt and is well known to numismatists.

It represents the Capolitine triad of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva and was built by Hadrian on the site of the ruined Herodian Second Temple.

Lesser known to numismatists are the coins representing the Roman temples built by Hadrian over the site of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. A temple to Jupiter was built over His tomb and is on a coin of Antoninus Pius as shown below.

Note this is clearly a different temple than the one shown to be the known representation of the Temple Mount complex.

We know there where two temples built by Hadrian over the site of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. A temple to Venus was built over the rock of Golgatha. A statue of Venus or more clearly Astarte was placed on the rock where Jesus was crucified. Both of these gods were the same in Roman-Canaanite culture. Astarte had more warlike qualities but both were representative of female sensual bloodlust pleasure. If Rome were to choose a god to desecrate the sacrifice of Our Lord, this entity fits the propaganda agenda.

Astarte is seen with her foot on the rock of Golgatha. She may be even shown holding the bust or head of John the Baptist. It should be recognized that John Baptist was held in the highest esteem with Jesus and both were targets of the Roman propaganda war machine. When St Helena came to Jerusalem she took great care in removing the dirt surrounding the temples over Christ’s death and burial. The profound desecration that took place on this site needed complete exorcism.

Once again despite the greatest efforts of the Roman Empire, Jesus Christ is still Lord and Savior to all humanity.