I’m back from a most intense and highly enjoyable journey through Israel and while I organize my thoughts and curate my photos let me provide you with a brief history of this ancient land.
My childhood was full of many epic, grand scale and sumptuous movies of this holy land and some are still annual holiday favorites: Ben Hur, 10 Commandments, The Robe, Barabbas, King of Kings, Solomon and Sheba, Exodus, Greatest Story Ever Told, The Bible, The Gospel and many more.
These are not just fanciful stories woven creatively. Here is the truth (no pun intended):
Judaism, Christianity and Islam all have strong factual ties to this area – these are only a few examples:
I will add context to these in future posts. For now, take a quick look at some highlights of Israel’s historical timeline:
17th – 6th Century BCE – Biblical Times
- c. 17th Century – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, patriarchs of the Jewish People and a belief in one God – settle in the Land of Israel. Famine forever Israelites to migrate to Egypt.
- c. 13th Century – Exodus from Egypt: Moses leads Israelites from Egypt, followed by 40 years of wandering in the desert. The Torah, including the Ten Commandments, received at Mount Sinai.
- c. 1020 – Jewish monarchy established; Saul, first king.
- c.1000 – Jerusalem made capital of David’s kingdom.
- c. 960 – 586 – First Temple, the national and spiritual center of the Jewish people, built in Jerusalem by King Solomon. Divided kingdom: Judah and Israel. Israel crushed by Assyrians; 10 tribes exiled (Ten Lost Tribes). Judah conquered by Babylonia; Jerusalem and First Temple destroyed; most Jews exiled.
538-142 – Persian and Hellenistic periods
63 BCE-313 CE – Roman rule
313-636 – Byzantine rule
636-1099 – Arab Rule
1291 – Crusader domination
1291-1516 – Mamluk rule
1517-1917 – Ottoman rule
1918-48 – British Rule
1948 – State of Israel created
There is much to cover besides its rich history – archeological digs, the food,
(and WINE!) the people, politics, nature (it wouldn’t be complete if I couldn’t take local animal and natural landscape photos) and of course, some WTDGAP moments. Hope you will join in the journey over the upcoming weeks!
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Wow – what a great start. I was on the trip with you but cannot wait for the next additions! Well done
Bill – thanks so much!!!! – it means so much to me when fellow travelers enjoy what I write – I am still going through re-entry mind fogginess but wanted to get the ball rolling – hope you will like the posts to come!
Although it was 40 years ago my memories of living and working there are still precious to me, as are my friendships. thank you Cindy. I will look forward to future posts and your brilliant photography and commenatary.
Elizabeth
Thanks so much, Elizabeth!
keep up the posting,enjoyed trip including all people
Also look forward to your writing. It will be fun to see our trip through your eyes.
Nancy and Dick Davis
I am still in the mind blown position in regards to our trip! Karin Weber