Oh, I agree. I remember, when I first read Sinai Tapestry, thinking that Strongbow was inspired by Richard Burton. As Whittemore was a Yale graduate in History, no doubt quite a few characters and events are derived from historical personages and events.

There REALLY was an ancient version of the Bible discovered at St Catherine's Monastery.

It would be an intriguing study (had one the time) to discover the original source for Cairo Martyr for instance.

In Jericho Mosaic there is a character called Yossi, a Jewish agent for Mossad who passes himself off as an Arab and leads a double life. I recall seeing a documentary once on a Mossad agent who was a dead ringer for Yossi.

I'd be interested to see other visitors to this Board's opinions on this.