This new collector's edition from BBC History Magazine explores the history of the Holy Land from ancient times until the modern era. Discover how three global faiths have battled for control of Jerusalem over several centuries and find out about the brief, but hugely significant, period of British rule in Palestine.

Inside you will find:

An informative timeline of the Holy Land's history The latest archaeological discoveries relating to the biblical era Stunning photographs of historical treasures Fresh insights into the modern histories of Israel and Palestine

WELCOME • THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF FAITH, WAR AND CONQUEST

The Holy Land • DAN COSSINS chronicles the tumult and turbulence of the last several millennia

LAND OF THE ANCIENTS • EXPLORING THE REGION’S RICH EARLY HISTORY

CANAAN and the Canaanites • Covering a large part of the eastern Mediterranean during the second millennium BC, the land of Canaan had long disappeared by the time the Bible was written. JONATHAN TUBB examines the limited evidence to reveal what we know of Canaanite culture

DIGGING FOR THE BIBLE • Leading biblical archaeologist AREN MAEIR identifies 10 key discoveries from the Holy Land and explains how they relate to the Old Testament

THE LAND OF JESUS • Ruled by both Herod and Pontius Pilate, Judea became a Roman province in AD 6. JOHN CURRAN offers a snapshot of life in the region around the time of Jesus

Mapping it out • Six culturally significant locations in the Holy Land

Bones, boxes and boundaries • More fascinating aspects of life in Judea at the time of Jesus

Treasures of the Holy Land • In every era, emperors and kings have been allured by the Holy Land. This small strip of land has been conquered by the Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, crusaders, Ottomans and the British empire, to name but a few. Each conquest made its mark, leaving behind many historic sites of significance. DAN SAVERY RAZ picks out 10 of the most inspiring

LAND OF FAITH • THE RELIGIONS THAT LAID CLAIM TO THE LAND

The Crescent and the Sword • During the seventh century, the Prophet Muhammad’s campaigns unified Arabian tribes, who conquered the largest empire the world had ever known. ANDREW MARSHAM assesses the place of the Holy Land in the Islamic conquests

Traders and Crusaders • Relations between Muslims and Christians during the medieval period were characterised by more than just wanton violence, as THOMAS ASBRIDGE explains

HOLY WAR AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE • Key locations in the story of medieval east–west relations

JERUSALEM: BLOOD & GOLD • A holy city for Jews, Christians and Muslims, Jerusalem has a fractured past and an uncertain future. Historian SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORE tells Rob Attar about why it has been beset by violence for thousands of years

5 people who shaped a city • … from biblical times until today

The Rise of Zionism • Zionism called for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. SARA YAEL HIRSCHHORN traces the movement’s evolution and development

LAND OF WAR • A REGION SPLIT AND SCARRED BY CONFLICT

Clash of Empires • EUGENE ROGAN reveals how the British and Ottomans vied for control of Palestine during the First World War

The Next Imperial Frontier • Britain’s administration of Palestine was formalised by the British Mandate. But, as JACOB NORRIS explains, it led to the deep divisions that still define the Middle East

Timeline of the British Mandate 1920–33

Timeline of the British Mandate 1936–48

Revolt and Rebellion • The violent protests by Palestinian Arabs between 1936 and 1939 called for independent rule and an end to Jewish immigration. CHARLES TOWNSHEND chronicles the bloody uprising against the British

The Six-Day...