In a Dangerous Time
Surrounded by Enemies
In the traditional story, the Ark was placed in a sacred room in the Temple of Solomon. But as new empires arose to the east, the Temple treasures began to attract unwanted attention.
Losing Freedom
In the new patriarchal age of empires, many local rulers promoted a strong military and high taxation to keep the peace. The people’s freedom eroded, and the central role of women in religious life came under attack.
The Rise of Tyrants
As the local elites sought to play the imperial powers against each other, the rights of the people withered. Harsh crackdowns left freethinkers imprisoned, while traditional religious life in homes and on the land was banned.
And the Ark Disappeared
In one of the greatest mysteries of antiquity, the Ark disappeared during this turbulent era. Was it hidden for its safety, as the ruling elite claimed? Or was it removed from the Temple as an inconvenient symbol of freedom?