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, 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 introduce us to the people, priests, craftsmen, architects, and residents who have built the history of Jerusalem over the last five millennia.
