Internationally noted historian Yamauchi paints an incisive portrait of Persia's role in Old Testament history. As well as providing a detailed assessment of the archaeological and biblical data, he weaves into his meticulously documented text more than one hundred photos, maps, and diagrams.

The "curse of Ham" has been used to legitimize slavery. Both Ethiopians and Arabians claim the queen of Sheba. Could Moses and Jesus have been black?

Edwin Yamauchi explores the historical and archaeological background of biblical texts that refer to Africa and traces the results of past interpretations and misinterpretations. He covers such topics as the curse of Ham's son Canaan, Moses' Cushite wife, Simon the Cyrene, and afrocentric biblical interpretation. Along the way, he dispels myths, interacts with current theories, and provides readers with sound judgments as to what the Bible...