Description
Uses the book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible as a rich source of information about the world of the Achaemenid court
About the Author
Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones is Professor of Ancient History in the School of History, Archaeology and Religion at Cardiff University, where he is also the Director of Civic Mission and Innovation. His publications include the books, Aphrodite's Tortoise: the Veiled Woman of Ancient Greece, Ctesias' History of Persia: Tales of the Orient and King and Court in Ancient Persia. He has worked with the BBC, Channel 4 and the History Channel as an historical advisor.
Reviews
At a time when relations between Iran and Israel have never been worse, it is good to remember that Persians and Jews were once peacefully and productively intertwined in a single cultural world and that a book of the Old Testament provides one of our best sources for ancient Persian court culture. * William Dalrymple, The Spectator *
Biblical scholars know that the Persian context is relevant and significant for understanding the rich narrative of Esther, but most are not trained in the art and archaeology of the Achaemenid world. Llewellyn-Jones, who is so well at home in the Persian cultural context, makes a major contribution to scholarship on Esther, and to the Persian period in biblical studies more generally, with this book. This is indispensable for anyone working on Esther. * Aaron Koller, Yeshiva University, USA *
In this accessible and well-illustrated volume, Llewellyn-Jones explores and unpacks the distinctively Persian setting of the Esther narrative. With a particular focus on the early chapters, he provides a detailed cultural and iconographic companion to the biblical book of Esther, one which helpfully illuminates for historians and biblical scholars alike the broader Achaemenid context of the narrative. * Matthew A. Collins, Senior Lecturer in Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Judaism, University of Chester, UK *
Book Information
ISBN 9780755603022
Author Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones
Format Paperback
Page Count 280
Imprint I.B. Tauris
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC