Palestine in Late Antiquity (review)

A comprehensive review of Palestine's Late Antiquity (4th–7th centuries) reveals a complex landscape marked by fluid cultural and religious diversity, political conflict, and shifting power dynamics. Hagith Sivan's work challenges traditional monolithic narratives by integrating literary evidence from diverse communities with archaeological findings, highlighting the multifaceted nature of regional identity and conflict. The study emphasizes 'conflict' as a unifying theme—both within local populations and in broader international relations—illustrated through urban development, desert transformations, and rival claims to sacred spaces like Jerusalem's Temple Mount. Sivan's approach combines topographical analysis with social theory, offering a nuanced perspective on the period's political flashpoints, such as Samaritan-Christian tensions and imperial interventions (e.g., Constantine’s Holy Sepulcher dedication). The review underscores the importance of centering marginalized voices, like those of the Samaritans, to reconstruct a more accurate historical tapestry.

Hunt, D. (2010). Palestine in Late Antiquity (review). Journal of Late Antiquity, 3(2), 391–393. https://doi.org/10.1353/jla.2010.a404247