Battles of the Bible Illustrated Atlas introduces 20 key battles, each with 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 helps the reader grasp the course of the battle. 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 Illustrated Atlas 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 map illustrating the dispositions and movement of forces helps the reader grasp the course of the battle. Authoritatively written and with more than 200 maps, artworks and photographs, Battles of the Bible Illustrated Atlas is an essential companion for anyone interested in Ancient military history. AUTHORS: Martin J. Dougherty is the author of Ireland: The Emerald Isle, Greek Myths and Celts, among many other titles. A former defence consultant, he has written numerous books on history and military history, including Vikings: A History of the Norse People, The Wars of the Roses, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and Kings & Queens of the Medieval World. Michael E. Haskew is the editor of WWII History Magazine and The World War II Desk Reference with the Eisenhower Center for American Studies. He is the author of "The Sniper At War," "The Encyclopedia of Elite Forces in World War II," "Order of Battle: Western Allied Forces of WWII," and "The Italian Campaign in World War II." Phyllis G. Jestice is professor of medieval European history at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. A devoted teacher, Jestice enjoys writing for both academic and popular audiences. She is the author of Queens, Pharaohs and The Medieval Knight, while her most recent monograph is Imperial Ladies of the Ottonian Dynasty: Women and Rule in Tenth-century Germany. Rob S. Rice teaches courses at the American Military University. He has published articles in the Oxford Companion to American Military History and contributed to Fighting Techniques of the Ancient World, Fighting Techniques of the Early Modern World, Battles of the Ancient World, Battles of the Bible, Fighting Techniques of Naval Warfare, and Fighting Techniques of the Colonial Era. SELLING POINTS: . A highly-illustrated guide to major battles of the Bible era . Specially-commissioned maps illuminate the battles, while annotations and captions explain the development of the action step-by-step . Detailed artworks show the equipment, techniques and tactics of the era . Acknowledged experts provide detailed background, descriptions and post-battle analysis 131 photos, artworks and maps