The 4 000-year history of the city of Jerusalem unfolds in an exceptional graphic narrative
that touches on the birth of Islam Christianity and Judaism as well as famous conquerors and
mighty empires and more Four thousand years ago Jerusalem was a small isolated village
perched on a ridge line between the Mediterranean and the desert. Today it is a bustling
metropolis with almost one million inhabitants attracting visitors from all over the world.
The story of Jerusalem is in many ways the story of the development of Western
civilization-religions were born on its streets famous conquerors laid siege to it and great
empires clashed over it. Considered the cradle of Judaism Christianity and Islam-the three
major monotheistic religions-and a spiritual capital for more than half of humanity. Tracing
its history gives us a unique perspective into the histories of these different religious
identities. In this 256-page graphic novel written by renowned historian Vincent Lemire and
illustrated by cartoonist and animator Christophe Gaultier readers will meet Abraham King
Herod Empress Helena (the mother of Constantine I) Queen Melisende of Jerusalem Saladin
Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan General Edmund Allenby Palestinian nationalist Abd
al-Qadir al-Husayni former Mayor Teddy Kollek and many other famous people who have helped
build the story of Jerusalem. But it takes many hands to make a city and the history of the
city is the history of the residents who lead lives both great and small within its walls. As
Lemire and Gaultier guide us through the lives of Jerusalem's most famous residents so too do
they introduce us to the people priests craftsmen architects and residents who have built
the history of Jerusalem over the last five millennia.
