In the 6th century. The Middle East was divided between two great empires - the Persian and the Roman. A hundred years passed, and in their place a new superpower arose - the Arab Empire. The changes that occurred during this period were not only political or cultural - there was a transformation of human society, its consequences for the future were enormous. Today, more than half of the world's population professes one religion or another, which took shape during the period of late Antiquity. And as Tom Holland convincingly argues, what Jews, Christians and Muslims believe today about the origins of their religions is far from certain. Exploring the understanding of the divine in the minds of the inhabitants of great empires, the author tells the story of wars and plagues, emperors in luxurious palaces and about martyrs covered with sores on pillars, about crowded cities and deserted deserts. This is a story full of drama and amazing discoveries.