Philistia
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| Philistia (Biblical pentapolis) | ||||||||||
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| Capital | Not specified | |||||||||
| Languages | Philistine language, Canaanite language, Hebrew language | |||||||||
| Religion | Canaanite religion | |||||||||
| Government | Federation | |||||||||
| Historical era | Iron Age | |||||||||
| • | Late Bronze Age collapse | 1175 | ||||||||
| • | Assyrian conquest of the Levant | 722 BC | ||||||||
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Philistia (Hebrew: פלשת, Pleshet) was, according to Joshua 13:3 and 1 Samuel 6:17, a Pentapolis in south-western Levant, comprising Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath, and Gaza.
The Pentapolis is described in the Hebrew Bible as being in constant struggle and interaction with the neighbouring Egyptians, Israelites and Canaanites, gradually absorbing the Canaanite culture.[citation needed] Philistia ruled major parts of southern Canaan at the peak of its expansion, but was eventually conquered and subdued by neighbouring Israelites.[citation needed]
The Pentapolis was not mentioned in the Bible following the conquest of the Levant by the Neo-Assyrian Empire in 722 BC.
East of Gaza
The area east of Gaza, particularly around Nahal Besor brook that reaches into the hills as far as Beersheva had very substantial Philistine occupation. This area is a part of Negev desert. It also includes the Nahal Gerar brook to the north that joins Nahal Besor before the stream flows into the Mediterranean.[1]
This was a heavily populated area during the early Iron Age. It includes sites such as Tell Beit Mirsim, Tel Haror, Tel Sera (Ziklag) along the Nahal Gerar, and Tel Gamma and Tell el-Farah (South) along the Nahal Besor.[2] All these sites and others in the area had Philistine settlements.[3]
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.[4]
Kings
- Achish the king of Gath
See also
References
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Gunnar Lehmann, Steven A. Rosen, Angelika Berlejung, Bat-Ami Neumeier and Hermann M. Niemann, Excavations at Qubur al-Walaydah, 2007–2009 academia.edu
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 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
