Battles of the Bible: A Military History of Ancient IsraelBattles of the Bible presents a comprehensive and illuminating account of the wars of ancient Israel. The Bible's military episodes, recounted here in vivid detail, cover a vast period, from the invasion of Canaan by the Israelites under Joshua's command, through the conquest of the kingdom by David and Solomon and the split of the kingdom into Judah and Israel, to the Maccabees' successful rebellion against Seleucid domination. The reliability of these accounts is supported by their technical accuracy and the descriptions of topographical conditions peculiar to specific battlefields. They bear comparison with military campaigns well after the biblical era, and provide strategic and tactical lessons of value even today. Battles of the Bible is a fascinating and valuable work, not only for its exacting scrutiny of the biblical accounts, but also for its insight into their wider and continuing relevance. This new, thoroughly revised edition takes into account current historical and archaeological research, as well as modern trends in biblical scholarship. |
Contents
Key to maps | 13 |
Acknowledgements | 19 |
Setting the Scene | 27 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
able according advance ancient Antiochus approach Arad Arameans arms army Assyrian attack base battle Bible biblical border built called camp campaign Canaanite century chapter chariots command complete conquest David decided defeat defence direct east eastern effect Egypt Egyptian Empire enemy existing fact fighting flank forces fortifications fortress garrison gate guard hand head hills Israel Israelite Jerusalem Jewish Jews Jordan Joshua Judah Judean Judg king kingdom land later London Lysias Maccabees major means mentioned miles military Mount mountains move natural Negev northern Palestine pass passage period permanent Persian phalanx Philistines plain population position prepared River road route Samaria secure Seleucid served siege situation Solomonic sources strength tactical Temple tion towers town trade tribes troops turn units Uzziah Valley victory walls warfare