Kingdom of Judah: Map & History
The Kingdom of Judah was an Israelite kingdom of the Southern Levant during the Iron Age.
Wikipedia Encyclopedic Compendium
Historiographical synthesis & structured realm registry
The Kingdom of Judah was an Israelite kingdom of the Southern Levant during the Iron Age. Centered in the highlands to the west of the Dead Sea, the kingdom's capital was Jerusalem. It was ruled by the House of David for four centuries. Jews are named after Judah, and primarily descend from people who lived in the region.
Modern Countries Once Part of Kingdom of Judah
At its mapped extent, Kingdom of Judah covered territory in 2 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Kingdom of Judah's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Kingdom of Judah in Depth
Economy
Judah's traditional economy was a traditional mediterranean subsistence. The kingdom's economy transformed under Assyrian influence, shifting from subsistence farming to a system where each region focused on specific agricultural products.
The highlands west and north of Jerusalem, and likely to the south as well, were known for viticulture. The Late Iron Age saw a surge in rural activity across the Soreq and Rephaim Valleys, with 65 sites identified and excavated. These sites formed a four-tiered hierarchy, including large administrative centers like Tel Moza, smaller villages, isolated buildings and farms, and agro-production spots like wine presses.
Geography
The Kingdom of Judah was located in the Judean Mountains, stretching from Jerusalem to Hebron and into the Negev Desert. The central ridge, ranging from forested and shrubland-covered mountains gently sloping towards the hills of the Shephelah in the west, to the dry and arid landscapes of the Judaean Desert descending into the Jordan Valley to the east, formed the kingdom's core.
The northern border of Judah extended east–west from the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea, passing near Jericho to the area of Gezer. To the west, the border ran from Gezer across the Shephelah to Beersheba in the northern Negev. In the east, Judah's boundaries followed the Arabah to the western shore of the Dead Sea.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Kingdom of Judah (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Kingdom of Judah: Key Facts
| Capital | Jerusalem |
|---|---|
| Official language | Biblical Hebrew |
| Religion | ancient Israelite religion |
| Form of government | monarchy |
| Founded | 930 BCE |
| Dissolved | 586 BCE |
Preceded by
- Canaan
- United Kingdom of Israel
Succeeded by
- Yehud
Facts from Wikidata Q48685 (CC0).
Kingdom of Judah Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Kingdom of Judah appears, with the other states of the time.
Kingdom of Judah Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 4,303 km² in 726 BCE.
Kingdom of Judah: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Kingdom of Judah exist?
The Kingdom of Judah is dated to 900 BCE – 701 BCE, in the Bronze & Iron Age Civilizations era.
What was the capital of the Kingdom of Judah?
The capital of the Kingdom of Judah was Jerusalem.
How large was the Kingdom of Judah at its peak?
At its peak in 726 BC the Kingdom of Judah covered about 4,303 km².
Other Sovereign Realms
Classical Antiquity • Capital: Persepolis, Pasargadae, Susa, Babylon
Bronze Age Civilizations • Capital: Memphis
Bronze & Iron Age Civilizations • Capital: Kerma
Classical Antiquity • Capital: Persepolis, Pasargadae, Susa, Babylon