Byblos Through the Ages

Viac o knihe

With the approval of excavator Mr. Maurice Dunand, Mrs. Jidejian presents a book that combines rigorous scholarship with an engaging narrative about the millennial history of a remarkable city. This volume serves an essential purpose, as it offers the first comprehensive documented survey of the excavations at Jubayl in any language. Mrs. Jidejian meticulously compiles information from various sources, including inscriptions and histories, while emphasizing excavated materials and artifact chronology. Her extensive footnotes, conveniently placed along the inner margin, provide a valuable resource for archaeologists. The author delivers an excellent survey based on primary sources, covering over 6000 years of Byblos' history. This work is a fine example of popularization, accessible without being overly simplified. For those with a vague recollection of Byblos as part of Phoenicia, this book will be enlightening. Despite the existing literature on Byblos being scattered across archaeological, historical, and philological sources, Mrs. Jidejian fulfills the long-standing need for a synthesis. The book concludes with a list of Byblos kings, adding to its utility. High praise is warranted for the production of this handsome volume, making it a significant contribution to the field.