Few regions of the world can boast such a rich and complex history as the Holy Land. In this authoritatively written and magnificently illustrated new survey, Roberta L. Harris explores its turbulent past, interweaving events of the biblical narrative with the latest archaeological research and interpretations. Lying near the cradle of civilization in the Near East and at the crossroads of three continents, the Holy Land was not only constantly fought over by the empires of Egypt, Babylon, Assyria and the Hittites, it was also the birthplace of two of the world`s great religions and an early home to a third. The World of the Bible begins in the fertile crescent where civilization first arose and explores the ancient cities of Ur, Mari and Ebla. The reader follows the fate of the Israelites under the pharaohs and studies their subsequent return to Canaan, the settlement of the Israelite tribes, and the rise of the Old Testament empires. Full coverage is given to the development of the area`s major religions, tracing the ancestry of Judaism, Jesus and the origins of Christianity, and the arrival of Islam in the 7th century. Illustrated features are included on many aspects of biblical life, and on topics such as the origins of the alphabet and the tragic siege of Masada. With detailed maps and site plans, a timeline of the principal events and a gazetteer of sites and museums to visit, this is an accessible, lively and informative introduction to the Bible lands.