How many nationalities and people owned Jerusalem in the past?

Throughout history, Jerusalem has been ruled and controlled by numerous nationalities and civilizations, leaving a profound impact on its cultural and religious heritage. Here are some of the key nationalities that have held control over Jerusalem in the past:

1. Canaanites (3000-1000 BC)

- Canaanites were the early inhabitants of the region and established the first permanent settlements in Jerusalem.

2. Israelites (1000-586 BC)

- The Israelites, under King David, conquered Jerusalem and made it their capital, building the First Temple.

3. Babylonians (586-538 BC)

- The Babylonians, led by King Nebuchadnezzar, captured Jerusalem and destroyed the First Temple.

4. Persians (538-332 BC)

- The Persians, under King Cyrus, allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple.

5. Greeks (332-198 BC)

- The Greeks, led by Alexander the Great, conquered Jerusalem and brought Hellenistic influence to the region.

6. Maccabees (165-63 BC)

- The Maccabees, a Jewish rebel group, regained control of Jerusalem and re-established Jewish sovereignty.

7. Romans (63 BC-324 AD)

- The Romans, under Pompey, conquered Jerusalem and made it a Roman province.

8. Byzantines (324-638 AD)

- The Eastern Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire, gained control of Jerusalem and built several churches.

9. Sassanid Persians (638-638 AD)

- The Sassanids briefly gained control of Jerusalem before losing it back to the Byzantine Empire.

10. Arabs (638-1099 AD)

- Arab Muslims, led by Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, conquered Jerusalem and established the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

11. Seljuk Turks (1099-1187 AD)

- The Seljuk Turks gained control of Jerusalem from the Fatimid Egyptians.

12. Crusaders (1099-1187 AD)

- Christian Crusaders from Europe captured Jerusalem during the First Crusade and established the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

13. Ayyubids (1187-1250 AD)

- The Ayyubids, led by Saladin, retook Jerusalem from the Crusaders after the Battle of Hattin.

14. Mamluks (1250-1516 AD)

- The Mamluks, originally a military slave group, took control of Egypt and Syria and ruled over Jerusalem.

15. Ottoman Turks (1516-1917 AD)

- The Ottoman Turks, under Sultan Selim I, conquered Jerusalem and ruled it for nearly 400 years.

16. British (1917-1948 AD)

- The British gained control of Jerusalem after defeating the Ottoman Empire during World War I and administered the city as part of the British Mandate for Palestine.

17. International Control (1948-1967 AD)

- After the British withdrawal, Jerusalem was divided between Israeli and Jordanian control, with the Old City under Jordanian control.

18. Reunification by Israel (1967-Present)

- Following the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel gained full control of Jerusalem, including the Old City, and declared it the unified capital of Israel.

It's important to note that Jerusalem has been a highly contested city due to its religious significance, and its ownership and control have been a source of conflict and tension throughout history.