Review article on Finkelstein, Jerusalem the Center of the Universe

BOOK REVIEW: In the Service of Empires: How Ancient Jerusalem Became Great. New book by leading biblical archaeologist Israel Finkelstein concludes that ancient Jerusalem and Judah thrived best when serving a foreign empire (Ariel David, Haaretz).

Since its emergence as an urban center some 5,000 years ago, the fortunes of Jerusalem have been influenced by great empires. Its greatness was forged more by pragmatists who knew how to navigate and adapt to complex imperialist agendas than by warriors and messianic rebels who took up arms.

A long and thorough review of a wide-ranging new book on the history of Jerusalem.

I have just noted the publication of the book here.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.