Empires in Collision in Late Antiquity (The Menahem Stern Jerusalem Lectures)

**** "Empires in Collision in Late Antiquity," a collection of lectures by the esteemed historian Glen W. Bowersock, offers readers a concise yet enriching overview of the significant interplay between the Byzantines, Persians, and Arabs during a pivotal moment in history. The book is structured around three lectures delivered in 2011, each shedding light on distinct historical events and interactions that shaped the political landscape of the time. The first lecture focuses on the intriguing dynamics of the Byzantine support for the Ethiopian kingdom of Axum in its attempts to conquer Himyar, a Jewish kingdom in Arabia. Bowersock expertly unravels the ensuing complexities of this proxy war against Persia, highlighting the fragile state of power dynamics and the subsequent vacuum left for Persian expansion. In the second lecture, the author challenges prevailing narratives about the Persian conquest of Jerusalem in 614, showcasing a more nuanced perspective that reveals cooperation with local Jewish populations rather than brutal oppression. This fresh characterization of the conquest adds depth to our understanding of religious identities and territorial governance during this era. The final lecture, deemed the most compelling by many readers, discusses Emperor Heraclius’s unintentional facilitation of the Arab expansion through his destructive conflict with Persia. Bowersock draws connections between the Byzantine victories and early Islamic texts, suggesting an initial congruence in interests between the Arabs and Byzantine Christians that later devolved into hostility. While some readers found the book's brevity limiting regarding detailed engagement with early Arab-Christian relations, others appreciated the clarity and succinctness of Bowersock's presentations. This booklet proves valuable to those looking to grasp the key events and interactions during late antiquity, though it may prompt readers to explore further literature to satisfy a deeper curiosity about the period. **