A History of Sinai

The Sinai peninsula, a rugged triangle jutting between Egypt and Arabia, has long been a crossroads of cultures and faiths. From its earliest days as a moon‑cult sanctuary to its later role as the stage for the delivery of the Law to the Israelites, the region bears the marks of successive religious transformations. The book traces these layers, showing how the landscape shaped, and was shaped by, the pilgrimages, hermits, and monastic communities that have passed through it.

Drawing on the author's own experience among the 1905‑06 excavations at Serabit and a wealth of ancient inscriptions, the narrative weaves together archaeological detail with the stories of the bishops and saints who left their imprint on Sinai. Illustrated maps, sketches of temple ruins, and vivid descriptions of the desert’s flora and fauna bring the peninsula to life for modern listeners. Readers will come away with a clearer sense of how this stark wilderness became a pivotal chapter in the history of religion.