The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites
Richard Stillwell, William L. MacDonald, Marian Holland McAllister, Stillwell, Richard, MacDonald, William L., McAlister, Marian Holland, Ed.

ETAM Jordan/Israel.

A town of Biblical Judea, 20 km S-SW of Jerusalem, in ancient times as now the site of a rain- and spring-fed source of water for that city. It is mentioned by Josephus (AJ 8.246) and is thought to be the cool and watered place, with gardens, to which Solomon so enjoyed retiring (AJ 8.186, and cf. Eccles. 2:6; extant pools are called by his name). A major aqueduct from Etam to Jerusalem was constructed, or renovated, by Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea (A.D. 26-36).

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

W. Smith, ed., A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography 1 (1873; repr. 1966) 854-55.

W. L. MAC DONALD