How Did We Get Here? Israel and the Palestinians: 1: From Earliest Times to the Romans
Feb 9, 2026
Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, ancient history professor focusing on the Levant; Simon Sebag Montefiore, narrative historian of the Middle East. They probe the Bible as history, the meaning of a promised land, archaeology versus scripture, identities of ancient peoples, David and Solomon, Rome’s takeover, Jewish revolts, Masada and the renaming of Judea. Short, wide-ranging historical conversation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Let Archaeology Lead Historical Claims
- Start with archaeology rather than assuming the Bible is literal history when studying ancient Palestine.
- Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones recommends marrying archaeology to texts, not searching the ground to confirm scripture.
David And Solomon Were Likely Modest Leaders
- Evidence for mighty biblical constructions like Solomon's temple is absent in Levantine archaeology of the period.
- Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones argues David and Solomon likely existed but as modest tribal leaders.
Inscriptions Anchor Biblical Names
- The Tel Dan stele provides the earliest external attestation of the 'house of David', but dates centuries later.
- Simon Sebag Montefiore notes tangible inscriptions start to anchor biblical figures into history.
