MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTS

Biblical Archaeology Review, May/June 2019

As trees and flowers come into bloom this spring, travel back in time with us and explore the palatial gardens of King Herod the Great—and much more—in the May/June 2019 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review. Step inside the Huqoq synagogue in ancient Galilee, marvel at its mosaics, and look at parallels throughout the Mediterranean world. Visit ancient Assyria and meet the Assyrians referenced in the Bible. Explore the roles of dogs in the Biblical world and the identity of the “python-girl” in Acts 16:16–24. Then check out a Roman library in Cologne, Germany.

Visit us online at Bible History Daily to see the latest news in Biblical archaeology, as well as additional articles and videos about key Bible and archaeology topics, including a roundup of articles on the stunning mosaics from the Huqoq synagogue. Discover some of the ways in which ancient Near Eastern civilizations have impressed themselves on Western culture with the free eBook From Babylon to Baghdad, which also chronicles the present-day fight to preserve Iraq’s cultural heritage. Be sure to explore the BAS Library, which features every article ever published in BAR, Bible Review, and Archaeology Odyssey, as well as Special Collections of articles curated by BAS editors, including one about the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud in northern Iraq, which served as a capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire.

Features

Inside the Huqoq Synagogue

By Jodi Magness, Shua Kisilevitz, Matthew Grey, Dennis Mizzi, Karen Britt, and Ra‘anan Boustan

Season after season, archaeologists have uncovered stunning mosaics at Huqoq’s synagogue in Galilee. From Biblical scenes to the first historical episode ever found in a synagogue, the mosaics’ themes never cease to amaze and surprise. Join us on a tour of the Huqoq synagogue—with its vivid mosaics and much more!

Artistic Influences in Synagogue Mosaics: Putting the Huqoq Synagogue in Context

By Karen Britt and Ra‘anan Boustan

How do the mosaics from Huqoq’s synagogue compare to mosaics from other Late Roman synagogues in Galilee and throughout the Mediterranean world? Their similarities and differences reveal cultural and artistic trends from this period.

From Pets to Physicians: Dogs in the Biblical World

By Justin David Strong

What roles did dogs play in the Biblical world? A survey of dogs’ portrayals in ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean cultures shows that far from being perceived as “unclean,” dogs served as companions, guard dogs, sheep dogs, hunters, and—surprisingly—physicians. These diverse roles inform our understanding of the famous parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31).

Who Were the Assyrians?

By Christopher B. Hays

The Assyrians referenced in the Hebrew Bible were a mighty force that exerted power over much of the Near East, including Israel and Judah, in the ninth through seventh centuries B.C.E. Learn about their beginnings over a millennium before they appeared in the Bible and how they expanded their empire from Urartu to Egypt.

Departments

First Person: Who Owns History?

By Robert R. Cargill

Classical Corner: Checking Out Roman Libraries

By Christina Triantafillou

Biblical Views: Paul, the Python Girl, and Human Trafficking

By John Byron

Archaeological Views: Herod the Great Gardener

By Kathryn L. Gleason

Strata

Tutankhamun’s Tomb Back in Business
Ancestral Shrine from Egypt
How Many?
Trilingual Inscription Surfaces in Iran
Where Is It?
Lost and Found
Exhibit Watch
Cartoon Caption Contest

Reviews

The Careful Dialogue between Archaeology and the Bible
The Bible and Archaeology
Reviewed by Eric H. Cline

Authors

Worldwide

Queries & Comments

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