Astronomy as a Key to Biblical History
Astronomical Events and Chronology in Historical Reconstruction
Language: French - ISBN: 9789403798172 - 169 pages
€41.37
Synopsis
This monograph delves into astronomy’s crucial role in refining historical timelines. By analyzing phenomena like solar/lunar eclipses and planetary conjunctions, it offers precise chronological markers that help historians and archaeologists validate ancient civilizations' timelines. Drawing on interdisciplinary research, it highlights cases where astronomical calculations resolved dating uncertainties, such as synchronizing Israelite/Judean kings with Neo-Assyrian and Achaemenid rulers using sources like Babylonian tablets, Assyrian chronicles, and Greek accounts. The study underscores the reliability of celestial mechanics in dating biblical events and classical antiquity. It also addresses challenges like misinterpreting historical records, limitations of past observations, and reliance on ancient translations. Prominent controversies are explored, including dating Jesus’ birth and death, Quirinius’ census, and the reign of Ashurnasirpal II, linked to Carthage’s founding. Advocating trans-disciplinary collaboration, the book showcases how integrating scientific methods unveils history with remarkable accuracy.
About Gérard Gertoux
Gérard Gertoux is a postdoctoral researcher in archaeology and the history of ancient worlds at Lyon 2
University, and a member of the International Association for Assyriology. He has published several
articles and books on ancient chronology, including contributions to Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis and
NABU. His work has been presented at academic conferences, including Oxford University, the Collège
de France and the 2019 ASOR Annual Meeting, session Archaeology and Bible Studies.
2015: Lecture at Oxford University “Assyrian and Biblical Chronologies: Are They Reliable?”
(https://oxfordassyriology.wordpress.com/gerard-gertoux-university-of-lyon-2/).
2015: Lecture at Genève University “Dating the Reigns of Xerxes and Artaxerxes” during the 61e
Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale (https://www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/157125/).
2019: Invited by Professor Dominique Charpin to the 65th Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale at the
Collège de France to present a summary of the
Product specifications
Binding | Hardcover |
---|---|
Language | French |
Publishing date | Saturday, 28 June 2025 |
Edition | 1 |
ISBN | 9789403798172 |
Pagecount | 169 |
Interior color | Full color |
Size | 155 x 235 mm |
Author | Gérard Gertoux |
Category | Education > Religion and ethics |