Legendary cities of ancient Palestine.
According to the Old Testament book of Genesis, the notorious cities were destroyed by "brimstone and fire" because of their wickedness. The site of the cities is unknown but may have beeen in an area now beneath the waters of the Dead Sea . Archaeological evidence shows that the area may once have been fertile and could have drawn the biblical Lot to graze his flock. The cities' legendary wickedness has inspired many writers, including Jean Giraudoux and Nikos Kazantzakis .