Understanding Biblical Kingdoms & Empires

Understanding

by Paul H. Wright

Though centered in the southern Levant, the actual world of the Bible is much larger, stretching across the ancient Near East and filling the eastern Mediterranean Basin.
None of the great empires of the ancient Near East or the Mediterranean Basin were born in the Levant. The powers that became Egypt, the Hittites, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome all began elsewhere, in lands blessed with resource bases that were more than adequate to prompt urbanization, fuel expansion and, eventually, burst into the full bloom of Empire. Moreover, none were ever really at home in the Levant, either. Rather, they arrived in a succession of waves, inundated the coast and broad inland valleys that cradled the imperial highways of the ancient world, then flowed on.
It is the dynamism of these great empires which are focused on through the prism of the Holy Land in this innovative and refreshing book.

Language: English

Featuring:
Maps
Photographs
Illustrations

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

These Carta introductory atlases are a lot of fun. This title introduces and compares the biblical kingdoms and empires that framed the Old and New Testaments. It’s written by Paul H. Wright who has produced a major atlas and other of these introductory atlases. I’ve found all his works accessible, helpful, and well-written. This title is no exception.

After briefly describing the world of the Bible on a physical map, he describes the origin of the people of Israel as well as the earlier kingdoms around them that influenced their history. From there, he gives a good overview of the rising kingdom of Egypt as well as their famous interaction with Israel. After that interaction, Egypt, as you well know, greatly declined and Israel went from a tribal nation to a monarchy. The heights of her glory were the empires of David and Solomon. This is all well described. Next, we have the Assyrian Empire (after this point Israel always had to deal with the dominant world power to some degree) and Israel’s divided kingdom. You will learn about the Assyrian Empire, the Babylonian Empire, the Persian Empire, and Israel’s trials during these periods. Perhaps lesser-known to some Bible students, you will then learn of the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great, the Ptolemaic and Seleucid Empires as well as the Hasmonean Kingdom. The balance of this book of 40 attractive pages introduces us to the Roman Empire that brings us into the New Testament.

The work is the expected Carta experience. Beautiful photographs, timely illustrations, and the best maps in the business. When you factor in the essential nature of understanding the kingdoms that affected Israel during the Old Testament, this book meets a real need and I highly recommend it!

I received this map free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adequate information, but grossly overpriced for size

The book contained solid facts and information but failed to go into the detail necessary to justify the price.
The maps were a sound addition to the book and helped explain facts given.