Philistia

Philistia (Biblical pentapolis)
1175 BC–722 BC
The Philistine cities of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, and Gath, as described in the Bible
Capital Not specified
Languages Philistine language, Canaanite language, Hebrew language
Religion Canaanite religion
Demonym Philistine
Government Federation
Historical era Iron Age
 •  Late Bronze Age collapse 1175 BC
 •  Assyrian conquest of the Levant 722 BC
Preceded by 		Succeeded by
Canaanites
Neo-Assyrian Empire
Today part of  Egypt
 Israel
 Palestine

Philistia (Hebrew: פלשת‎‎, Pleshet) is a term used to refer to the land of the Five Lords of the Philistines, described in Joshua 13:3 and 1 Samuel 6:17, comprising Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath, and Gaza, in the south-western Levant.[1]

The Five Lords of the Philistines are described in the Hebrew Bible as being in constant struggle and interaction with the neighbouring Israelites, Canaanites and Egyptians, being gradually absorbed into the Canaanite culture.[2] They ruled major parts of southern Canaan at the peak of its expansion, but was eventually conquered and subdued by neighbouring Israelites.[3]

The Philistines were not mentioned following the conquest of the Levant by the Neo-Assyrian Empire (911-605 BC).

East of Gaza

Iron Age kingdoms in the 9th century BCE; Philistia is shown in red

The area east of Gaza, particularly around Nahal Besor that reaches into the hills as far as Beersheva had very substantial Philistine presence. This area is a part of the Negev desert. It also includes Nahal Gerar to the north that joins Nahal Besor before flowing into the Mediterranean Sea.[4]

This was a heavily populated area during the early Iron Age. It includes archaeological sites such as Tell Beit Mirsim, Tel Haror, Tel Sera (Ziklag) along Nahal Gerar, and Tel Gamma and Tell el-Farah (South) along Nahal Besor.[5] All these sites and others in the area had Philistine settlements.[6]

As far as the Neo-Assyrian policy goes, when they first invaded this area, they gave the Philistine cities considerable autonomy in exchange for tribute. But later, while responding to various revolts, their policy hardened.[7]

Kings

See also

References

  1. ↑ Note - the "Lords" is a translation of seren or ceren (סַרְנֵ֣י) in Hebrew, or satrap (σατραπείαις) in the Greek of the Septuagint
  2. ↑ Library, National Public. "Philistia | National Public Library - eBooks | Read eBooks online". nationalpubliclibrary.info. Retrieved 2016-11-01.
  3. ↑ Library, National Public. "Philistia | National Public Library - eBooks | Read eBooks online". nationalpubliclibrary.info. Retrieved 2016-11-01.
  4. ↑ David Ben-Shlomo, Tell Jemmeh, Philistia and the Neo-Assyrian Empire during the Late Iron Age. Levant 2014; 46(1), 58-88 doi:10.1179/0075891413Z.00000000031
  5. ↑ Gunnar Lehmann, Steven A. Rosen, Angelika Berlejung, Bat-Ami Neumeier and Hermann M. Niemann, Excavations at Qubur al-Walaydah, 2007–2009 academia.edu
  6. ↑ "Tell el-Far'ah, South -- Israel Excavation Project Website". Farahsouth.cgu.edu. Retrieved 12 Jan 2016.
  7. ↑ David Ben-Shlomo, Tell Jemmeh, Philistia and the Neo-Assyrian Empire during the Late Iron Age. Levant 2014; 46(1), 58-88 doi:10.1179/0075891413Z.00000000031
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.