The Royal Stoa: The largest structure on the Temple Mount, this grand hall extended across the southern end of the great platform, from east to west. At the eastern end of the nave, the apse, seen here, was the setting for meetings of the Sanhedrin—the supreme Jewish legislative, religious and judicial body. In his proud description of the Temple Mount, Josephus called this stoa “more deserving of mention than any under the sun” (Antiquities of the Jews XV:430).