Battles of the Bible: (Battles)

Sitting on the edge of empires, for more than 2000 years before the birth of Christ the Biblical lands were fought over by rival peoples—Canaanites, Philistines, Israelites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans. Forming a land bridge between Eurasia and Africa and controlling access to the eastern Mediterranean, the territory that today makes up much of the modern state of Israel has proved a tempting prize for a wide array of would-be conquerors. Battles of the Bible introduces 20 key battles from the Biblical era. Beginning with the Israelites’ campaign against Ai (1407 BC) and finishing with the siege of Masada (73 AD), examples from every major campaign are featured. The book contains the major Hebrew leaders such as Saul and David, the invasion of the Assyrians and the enslavement of the Israelites by the Babylonians. Each battle includes a contextual introduction, a description of the action, and an analysis of the aftermath. A specially-commissioned colour map illustrating the dispositions and movement of forces brings the subject to life and helps the reader grasp the course of the battle. Authoritatively written and with more than 200 colour and black-and-white maps, artworks and photographs, Battles of the Bible is an essential companion for anyone interested in Ancient military history.

Table of Contents:
INTRODUCTION Phyllis G. Jestice 6 CONQUEST OF AI, C.1400 BC Rob S. Rice 18 WATERS OF MEROM, C.1400 BC Martin J. Dougherty 28 VICTORY OVER SISERA, 1240 BC Martin J. Dougherty 38 SPRING OF HAROD CAMPAIGN, 1194 BC Martin J. Dougherty 46 MICHMASH, 1040 BC Michael E. Haskew 54 JERUSALEM, 1000 BC Martin J. Dougherty 64 SIEGE OF SAMARIA, 890 BC Michael E. Haskew 74 GOLAN HEIGHTS, 874 BC Michael E. Haskew 84 WAR AGAINST MESHA, 850 BC Martin J. Dougherty 94 EDOM, 785 BC Phyllis G. Jestice 104 PALESTINE AND SYRIA, 734–732 BC Phyllis G. Jestice 112 LACHISH, 701 BC Phyllis G. Jestice 122 FALL OF JUDAH, 588–586 BC Phyllis G. Jestice 132 SIEGE OF TYRE, 332 BC Phyllis G. Jestice 142 EMMAUS, 165 BC Michael E. Haskew 152 BETH-ZUR, 164 BC Rob S. Rice 164 BETH-ZECHARIAH, 162 BC Rob S. Rice 174 JERUSALEM, 63 BC Martin J. Dougherty 184 JERUSALEM, AD 70 Martin J. Dougherty 194 MASADA, AD 73–74 Martin J. Dougherty 206 BIBLIOGRAPHY 216 INDEX 217

About the Author :
General Editor: Martin J. Dougherty is the author of Vikings: A History of the Norse People, The Wars of the Roses, The Ancient Warrior and Celts, among many other books. A former defence consultant, he also writes on personal self-defence and modern military technology.

Review :
Battles of the Bible is an excellent starting point for anyone, historian or wargamer, interested in that often violent era spanned by the Old and New Testaments.