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The History of Jerusalem: Its Origins to the Early Middle Ages
Fascinating revelations of the parts played by David, Solomon, Judas Maccabee, Pompey, Cleopatra, Justinian, and others in the making of the city.Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world, with evidence of an original settlement dating back more than 4,000 years. Vitally important was the supply of water provided by the Gihon Spring, in a land that normally experienced rainfall only from November to March. Since then this Middle Eastern city has been attacked and devastated on numerous occasions.Former rulers include King David, who established the City of David, and his son Solomon, who expanded Jerusalem and built the first Great Temple on Mount Moriah. Destruction 2,600 years ago saw most of the inhabitants exiled to Babylon, but as the Jewish diaspora returned, the Temple and city were rebuilt. Wars between the Ptolemaic and Seleucid successors of Alexander the Great seemed endless, but the resistance of the Maccabee brothers eventually led to the glorious reign of the Hasmonean kings.Roman interference and the enforcement of the despotic Herod the Great as king led inevitably to the catastrophic Jewish/Roman wars, and Jerusalem was once again destroyed. Christianity eventually facilitated a reinvigorated Byzantine Jerusalem, which became one of the world’s most beautiful cities. The bubonic plague was survived, but a new low saw the Persians sack the city before Heraclius triumphantly returned Christ’s True Cross to Jerusalem.The History of Its Origins to the Early Middle Ages is the first of its kind to examine in detail the rich history of Jerusalem during antiquity up to the year 630 CE. This in-depth account goes further than other volumes in terms of the breadth and scale of events covered, and offers an unbiased but critical appraisal of the colorful history of Jerusalem and the surrounding areas.
- GenresHistory
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 2, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 23, 2020
This book was given to me as an ARC by Alan J. Potter, publisher Pen & Sword and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review for which I am thankful.
Since the oldest of times, the city of Jerusalem stands with its’ rich history and religious and cultural importance as one of the most significant cities to have ever existed in human history, and this book provides a pretty solid insight into its’ beginnings up until the early medieval age.
Starting from the ancient tribes in the region, David and the first settlement, this oldest part of the history of Jerusalem relies heavily on the Old Testament as its’ main source, due to a severe lack of other ones, and this can also be felt while reading the first couple of dozens of pages.
As a reader, as I progressed through the book, the more I saw that the authors’ writing is solid, good for a common reader, and quite informative, despite being a bit on the short side overall.
Also, the more the timeline progressed, and this is especially true after the conquest of the Palestine region by Alexander The Great, there were more sources available, and the author used primary and secondary credible sources to a good extent.
However, all the necessary illustrations were put at the very end of the book instead of being within the pages of the main text. This is a small issue, but the book could have been even better if the reader needed less time to find the right illustration that was referred to in the text. And those illustrations are important in order to get a good picture of the city in a particular period instead of relying solely on the text.
Not only that, but occasionally, in between two chapters, the narrative would jump back and forth in time a bit, which caused smaller confusions, which could be a bit of an issue if read by a person who knows absolutely nothing of the period.
So, as the book ends with the Muslim conquest of the city in the early 7th century, one can reasonably expect there to be a second book as a continuation into the medieval period and later, and this is what I would gladly read about, if it ever happens.
Since the oldest of times, the city of Jerusalem stands with its’ rich history and religious and cultural importance as one of the most significant cities to have ever existed in human history, and this book provides a pretty solid insight into its’ beginnings up until the early medieval age.
Starting from the ancient tribes in the region, David and the first settlement, this oldest part of the history of Jerusalem relies heavily on the Old Testament as its’ main source, due to a severe lack of other ones, and this can also be felt while reading the first couple of dozens of pages.
As a reader, as I progressed through the book, the more I saw that the authors’ writing is solid, good for a common reader, and quite informative, despite being a bit on the short side overall.
Also, the more the timeline progressed, and this is especially true after the conquest of the Palestine region by Alexander The Great, there were more sources available, and the author used primary and secondary credible sources to a good extent.
However, all the necessary illustrations were put at the very end of the book instead of being within the pages of the main text. This is a small issue, but the book could have been even better if the reader needed less time to find the right illustration that was referred to in the text. And those illustrations are important in order to get a good picture of the city in a particular period instead of relying solely on the text.
Not only that, but occasionally, in between two chapters, the narrative would jump back and forth in time a bit, which caused smaller confusions, which could be a bit of an issue if read by a person who knows absolutely nothing of the period.
So, as the book ends with the Muslim conquest of the city in the early 7th century, one can reasonably expect there to be a second book as a continuation into the medieval period and later, and this is what I would gladly read about, if it ever happens.
January 2, 2022
According to the Author, the origins of Jerusalem begin with David. Prior to that it was a city of the tribe of Canaan called Jebus. In a total of 4 pages the author sums up the ancient history. Then in 150 pages he goes through the Old Testament books to recount the story of Jerusalem, using mainly the Bible as a source of information.
Even the Roman period continued to follow the events related to the Jews in the City with one or two minor references to the Christian Community. About 50 pages only were dedicated to Christian Jerusalem from 325 till 630 CE, and these pages were mostly about the theological debates and schisms within the church.
Which makes this a book about the history of the Jews in Jerusalem rather a history of Jerusalem.
Even the Roman period continued to follow the events related to the Jews in the City with one or two minor references to the Christian Community. About 50 pages only were dedicated to Christian Jerusalem from 325 till 630 CE, and these pages were mostly about the theological debates and schisms within the church.
Which makes this a book about the history of the Jews in Jerusalem rather a history of Jerusalem.
October 12, 2020
No other city compares with ancient, historic, exotic, fascinating and mysterious Jerusalem and her Temple on the Mount, repeatedly attacked, destroyed and rebuilt. Jerusalem survived plagues and severe droughts, good kings and bad, and is much venerated to this day.
In about 1,000 BC, King David secured Jerusalem with a likely population of about 2,000. Migrants had began moving inland from the coast and a mix of cultures and traditions necessitated a ruler. King David planned the unparalleled temple but it was built under his son, Solomon. Jerusalem was strategically situated with solid steep protection on three sides and near the Gihon Spring and became the Jewish capital.
This book highlights the history of Jerusalem in great detail and thoroughness. We learn about Israel and Judah and Assyrian threat and how Hezekiah returned Jerusalem to Jewish tradition and destroyed pagan idols and sites. One of the most crucial construction undertakings was tunneling through rock from Gihon Spring to Siloam Pool and enclosed the area with another wall.
We learn details about Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians' massive destruction and Nehemiah's rebuilding. Then came the Ptolemies, Seleucids, Romans, Herod the Great and emperors and the looting of 70 AD and later the Muslims.
Whew! So much detail. The maps and illustrations really help. At times the details become difficult to focus on but simultaneously very interesting.
Those interested in the history of Jerusalem and Israel will appreciate this.
I surely did.
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this enthralling book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.
In about 1,000 BC, King David secured Jerusalem with a likely population of about 2,000. Migrants had began moving inland from the coast and a mix of cultures and traditions necessitated a ruler. King David planned the unparalleled temple but it was built under his son, Solomon. Jerusalem was strategically situated with solid steep protection on three sides and near the Gihon Spring and became the Jewish capital.
This book highlights the history of Jerusalem in great detail and thoroughness. We learn about Israel and Judah and Assyrian threat and how Hezekiah returned Jerusalem to Jewish tradition and destroyed pagan idols and sites. One of the most crucial construction undertakings was tunneling through rock from Gihon Spring to Siloam Pool and enclosed the area with another wall.
We learn details about Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians' massive destruction and Nehemiah's rebuilding. Then came the Ptolemies, Seleucids, Romans, Herod the Great and emperors and the looting of 70 AD and later the Muslims.
Whew! So much detail. The maps and illustrations really help. At times the details become difficult to focus on but simultaneously very interesting.
Those interested in the history of Jerusalem and Israel will appreciate this.
I surely did.
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this enthralling book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.
March 23, 2021
Jerusalem: cradle of three most influential world religions, a place that has no equivalent in catalytic power of religions, beliefs, lifestyles, history, and politics.
Interestingly, all 3 religions are claiming the "City" and sacral parts of it and the book makes a successful attempt to bring up the history of each religion, its references and importance of certain parts of the city, and their connections with the development of religions and separate influential individuals. It is a cumulative history of the city, the idea, legend, and influence on people's lives.
Definitely a great read for anyone interested in esoteric history, the history of religion, cultures, history of the middle ages.
Interestingly, all 3 religions are claiming the "City" and sacral parts of it and the book makes a successful attempt to bring up the history of each religion, its references and importance of certain parts of the city, and their connections with the development of religions and separate influential individuals. It is a cumulative history of the city, the idea, legend, and influence on people's lives.
Definitely a great read for anyone interested in esoteric history, the history of religion, cultures, history of the middle ages.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews