Syria (which in its historical wider sense includes modern Syria, Lebanon, Israel/Palestine and Jordan) has always been at the centre of events of world importance. It was in this region that pastoral-stock rearing, settled agriculture and alphabetic writing were invented (and the dog domesticated). From Syria, Phoenician explorers set out to explore the whole Mediterranean region and sailed round Africa 2,000 years before Vasco de Gama. These are achievements enough but the succeeding centuries offer a rich tapestry of turbulent change, a cycle of repeated conquest, unification, rebellion and division. John D Grainger gives a sweeping overview (though replete with telling details) of the making of this historical region. From the end of the ice age through the procession of Assyrian, Phoenician, Persian, Greek, Roman, Arab, Turkish, French and British attempts to dominate this area, the key events and influences are clearly explained and analysed. The events playing out on our TV screens over recent years are put in the context of 12,000 years of history. AUTHOR: John D Grainger is a former teacher and historian of great experience, with a particular interest in the Classical and Hellenistic Greek periods. His many previous works include five for Pen & Sword: Hellenistic and Roman Naval Wars (2011), The Wars of the Maccabees (2012), Traditional Enemies (2012); Roman Conquests: Egpyt and Judaea (2013) and The Rise of the Seleukid Empire (2014). SELLING POINTS: . Overview of Syrian history from the Last Ice Age to the 20th century . Situated on the routes between the Mediterranean world, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Syria has always been at the centre of major world events, and remains so. . A turbulent history, Syria has been repeatedly conquered, divided and reunited . Encompasses historical Syrian region – not just the modern state – so it includes, Israel/Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon . Pastoral stock-raising, settled agriculture, domestication of the dog, alphabetical writing, monotheistic religion were all invented in Syria . Syrian (Phoenician) explorers sailed round Africa 2000 years before Vasco de Gama