Picturesque Palestine II: Samaria, Galilee, and Syria

Of many works published by explorers of Palestine in the 19th century, none is as highly regarded as the lavishly illustrated and expertly written Picturesque Palestine, Sinai and Egypt.  Edited by Charles Wilson and published in four volumes in 1881, this work captures the essence of the biblical lands in word and drawing, showing both ancient sites and native customs. 

The descriptions of the regions were written by experts with an eye to presenting the land to those who would never have the opportunity to visit.  This first-ever electronic edition includes the entirety of the original Volume 2, including 12 steel engravings, 140 wood engravings and 238 pages of text.  Volume 2 includes these sections:

Samaria and Plain of Esdraelon
by Mary Eliza Rogers

Esdraelon and Nazareth
by Henry B. Tristram

Galilee
by Selah Merrill

Cæsarea Philippi and the Highlands of Galilee
by Selah Merrill

Mount Hermon and its Temples
by Selah Merrill

Damascus
by Philip Schaff and Mary Eliza Rogers

Palmyra
by Henry H. Jessup

The Wâdy Barada
by Henry H. Jessup

Ba’albek
by Henry H. Jessup

Complete Book: The entire book is included in Adobe Acrobat format, as originally published.  This is the essence (and most difficult to reproduce) of this project and is most recommended.  The original publication is preserved exactly, with the original layout and pagination.  Thus any references to this work in other sources can be found on the same page as in the original.  In addition, the Acrobat file provides the user with the ability to search, copy text into other files, and print in high-resolution. 

The first 7 pages of the Samaria section are available here in either high resolution (as on CD; 3 MB) or low resolution (300 kb - faster download; not as high print quality).
 

Gateway to the Temple of the Sun [Bacchus], Baalbek

The Images:  All images are high-resolution (1600 x 1200 or higher) jpeg files, ideal for projecting in a classroom, viewing on a monitor or printing.  Click on one of the images below to see a medium-resolution version.

Cost: $20; or get all 4 volumes for $75 (now: $55)

Guarantee: you will be satisfied or your money will be refunded.

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SAMARIA AND PLAIN OF ESDRAELON. By Miss M. E. ROGERS Vale of Shechem.—Joseph’s Tomb.—Jacob’s Well.—Ebal and Gerizim.—Nâblus.—Gardens.—The Samaritans.—The Passover.—Sebaste.—Dothan.—Jenîn.—Plain of Esdraelon.—Carmel.— Waters of Megiddo.

ESDRAELON AND NAZARETH. By the Rev. CANON TRISTRAM, D.D., F.R.S.

En Gannim.—Jezreel.—Gilboa.—The Kishon.—Tabor.—Defeat of Sisera.—Gideon’s Victory.— Battlefields.—Shunem.—View from Neby Duhy.—Village of Nain.—Caves of Endor.— Nazareth.

GALILEE. By the Rev. Dr. SELAH MERRILL

Tiberias.—View from the Castle.—View from Hermon.—View from Tabor.—Cana of Galilee.— The Crusaders.—Mount of Beatitudes.—Volcanoes.—Valley of Pigeons.—Battle of Arbela.— Magdala.—Sea of Tiberias.—Papyrus.—Gennesaret.—Site of Capernaum.—Site of Bethsaida.—Cliffs of Akhbara.—Safed.—Earthquakes.—Synagogues at Meirôn and Kefr Beirim.

CÆSAREA PHILIPPI AND THE HIGHLANDS OF GALILEE. By the Rev. Dr. SELAH MERRILL

People of Galilee.—Phœnicians.—Ancient Commerce.—Cities of Refuge.—Kedesh Naphtali.— Hunîn.—Lake Hûleh.—Reed Villages.—The Hasbâny.—Site of Dan.—Bâniâs.—Fountain of the Jordan.—Cæsarea Philippi.—Castle of Subeibeh.

MOUNT HERMON AND ITS TEMPLES. By the Rev. Dr. SELAH MERRILL

The Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon.—The Bŭkâ’a.—Oaks of Bashan.—Sacred Trees.—Lake Phiala.— Wâdy et Teim.—Pottery of Rasheiyet el Fŭkhâr.—Wâdy Shib’a.—Caverns and Grottoes.— Hasbeiya.—Source of the Jordan.—The Leddân.—Temples of Hermon.—Rukleh.—Deir el ’Ashair.—Gorge of the Barada.

A Bedouin of the Hauran

DAMASCUS. By the Rev. Dr. PHILIP SCHAFF and Miss M. E. ROGERS

Gardens and Rivers of Damascus.—Cafés.—Mosques.—Ancient Remains.—Tombs of Saladin and Bibars.—The Peasants’ Bazaar.—The Citadel.—Discovery of Arrows.—The Tekîyeh.—A Death-cry.—Private Houses.—Silversmiths and Bookbinders.—Horse Market.—Pigeon Fanciers.—Historical Sketch.—Saladin.—The Camel.—Mohammedan Worship.—The Koran.—Present Condition of Damascus.

PALMYRA. By the Rev. HENRY H. JESSUP, D.D.

Springtime.—The Bedawîn.—To Palmyra viâ Kuryetein.—Temple of the Sun.—The Grand Colonnade.—Triumphal Gateway.—Wall of Justinian.—Turkish Fortification.—Tower Sepulchres.—Palmyrene Inscriptions.—Historical Sketch.

THE WÂDY BARADA. By the Rev. HENRY H. JESSUP, D.D.

’Ain Fîjeh.—Sûk, Wâdy Barada.—Abila.—Ancient Tombs and Tablets.—Plain of Zebedâny.— Source of the Barada.—The Bŭkâ’a.—Tombs of Seth, Noah, and Ham.—Arab Shrines.

BA’ALBEK. By the Rev. HENRY H. JESSUP, D.D.

The Quarries.—Method of raising Colossal Stones.—Temple Platform.—Tunnels.—Temple of the Sun.—The Six Columns.—Inscriptions in the Portico.—Temple of Venus.—Ruined Mosque.—City Walls.—Historical Sketch of Ba’albek.

List of Illustrations on the CD

Samaria, Esdraelon, and Galilee

000 Nablus, ancient Shechem, frontispiece.jpg
000 Nazareth well, title page.jpg
001 Moslem sanctuary in the valley of Shechem.jpg
004 Tomb of Eleazar.jpg
005 The approach to Nablus, the ancient Shechem.jpg
007 Great Mosque, Jamia el Kebir, Nablus.jpg
009 Mount Ebal from the gardens sw of Nablus.jpg
012 Nablus and Gerizim from Ebal.jpg
013 Ancient copy of the Samaritan Pentateuch.jpg
014 The hill of Samaria.jpg
015 Moslem sanctuary above reputed tomb of St John.jpg
017 Part of colonnade which once encircled Samaria.jpg
020a Southern plain of Esdraelon from Jenin.jpg

Sea of Galilee

Caesarea Philippi, Galilee Highlands, and Mt. Hermon

097 Tomb at Kedes, the ancient Kedesh Naphtali.jpg
098 Sarcophagi among the ruins of Kedesh Naphtali.jpg
099 First glimpse of Lebanon range from south.jpg
102 Lake Huleh, Waters of Merom, from Hunin.jpg
103 Hasbany River, northern tributary of the Jordan.jpg
105 Laish, afterwards called Dan.jpg
106 The Jordan at Banias, Caesarea Philippi.jpg

Capernaum harbor

Damascus, Palmyra, and Baalbek

143 Entrance to Damascus.jpg
144b Rivers of Damascus.jpg
145 Roadside cafe, Damascus.jpg
147 Mueddin chanting the call to prayer.jpg
150 Kubbet el Khazneh, Dome of Treasures, Damascus.jpg
151 Tomb of Saladin, Damascus.jpg
154 The mosque of Sabuniyeh, Damascus.jpg
155 Gold and sliversmiths bazaar, Damascus.jpg
156 The Mohammedan day school.jpg
158 The Arch of Triumph, Damascus.jpg
160 Bridge in shoemakers bazaar, Damascus.jpg
161 A narrow byway in Damascus.jpg

Lebanon Range and Baalbek

Temple of the Sun [Bacchus], Baalbek

"The Picturesque Palestine DVD is truly a remarkable resource. I was amazed how much the scenery of many of the sites has been altered or marred by construction, etc., over the years. Thank you again for all the work you put into the project. I am already using your materials extensively in several teaching opportunities I have been presented with at my old high school."
--Chris Martin
 

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