320 pages : 24 cm

A revised edition of a study of the wars of ancient Israel, which ranges from the invasion of Canaan by the Israelites under Joshua's command to the Maccabees' successful rebellion against Seleucid domination, updated to take account of new research, with new maps and plans throughout. Detailed reconstructions of battles mentioned in the Old Testament

Originally published: London : Greenhill Books, 1997

Includes bibliographical references (pages 300-315) and index

Setting the scene -- The campaigns of Joshua -- The wars of the Judges -- Founding the Kingdom and the standardized army -- The united monarchy -- The early days of Israel -- Israel under Omri and Ahab -- Israel after Ahab -- Judah's fortifications under Rehoboam -- Judah through the reign of Uzziah -- Judah's last century -- Early Maccabean battles -- From freedom to independence

FULL CONTENTS: Setting the scene: The geographical stage ; Abraham and the Patriarchs ; The sojourn in Egypt ; The crossing of the Red Sea ; The background to the conquest -- The campaigns of Joshua: The plan of the conquest ; The fall of Jericho ; The Ai campaign ; The assault on the Judean mountains ; Crushing the rulers of Galilee -- The wars of the Judges: Deborah's war ; Gideon's campaign against the desert raiders -- Founding the kingdom and the standardized army: The coming of the Philistines ; Samuel ; The first Jewish king ; Creating the nucleus of a standing army ; The Michmash campaign ; Mount Gilboa: Saul's last battle -- The united monarchy: The capture of Jerusalem ; The battles of the Valley of Rephaim ; The clash with the Arameans ; The subjection of the Arameans ; The organization of the armed forces ; Solomon's fortification activities ; Solomon's chariots ; The fortification network ; The road network ; Logistic organization -- The early days of Israel: Rehoboam's succession ; The division of the kingdom ; Aram, Trans-Jordan and the Philistines ; The Israelite army ; Israelite fortifications -- Israel under Omri and Ahab: The invasion of Ben-hadad II ; Ahab in the Golan Heights ; Meeting the Assyrian threat -- Israel after Ahab: The campaign against Mesha ; The rise of Aram ; The Solomonic borders regained ; The fall of Israel -- Judah's fortifications under Rehoboam: The siting of Rehoboam's fortifications ; The gaps in the border fortifications ; Invasion attempts -- Judah through the reign of Uzziah: Fortifications and siegecraft ; The composition of the Judean army ; The defence of the Negev ; Jehoram's campaign against Edom ; Amaziah's reconquest of Edom ; Uzziah ; The rural Negev militia ; Uzziah's general staff and army ; The army on the move -- Judah's last decades: The reign of Hezekiah ; Josiah ; Necho's campaign -- Early Maccabean battles: The origins of the Maccabean revolt ; The rise of the Maccabees ; Seleucid battle tactics ; The defeat of Apollonius ; The battle of Beth-horon ; The battle of Emmaus -- From freedom to independence: The battle of Beth-zur ; The rededication of the Temple ; The rescue expedition ; Judah's last battle

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