ACRA, is a Greek word, and signifies in general a Citadel. The Syrians and Chaldæans make use of it likewise in the same Sense1. King Antiochus gave orders for the building of a Citadel, northward of the Temple, upon an eminence which commanded this holy Place2; for which reason this Hill was called Acra. Josephus3 says, that this Eminence was in the form of a Semicircle, and that Simon Maccabæus having driven away the Syrians, who had seized on the Citadel of Acra, demolished it, and spent three years in levelling the Mountain upon which it was built. The ruins of it were thrown, by his directions, into the Vale below, that no Situation hereafter should command the Temple. Upon Mount Acra was built afterwards the Palace of Helena, Queen of the Adiabenians4, Agrippa’s Palace5, the place where the publick Records were lodged, and that where the Magistrates of Jerusalem assembled6.
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