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Transcript: PHILISTINES History Where did the Philistines come from? The Philistines are described as a warlike people that migrated from the Agean Basin to the southern coast of Palestine. The Bible says that they came from the island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea. An unknown combination of social, political, and economic factors displaced peoples on the Greek mainland and Agean Islands and eastern Anatolia. Philistia The Philistines came and defeated the Hittite Empire and the city-state of Ugarit. Ultimately they wanted to settle in Egypt. King Ramesses III fought them on both land and sea. The Egyptians prevailed, forcing the Philistines to settle along the southern coast of Canaan. In the Bible Philistia was called “the land of the Philistines.” This region had great agricultural and commercial potential, but the Philistines were not satisfied with this narrow strip of land. They expanded, largely into the land allotted to Israel. The Philistines and Israelites were fierce rivals from the twelfth century until their defeat by David in 965 B.C. Five Philistine city-states were formed: Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and Gath.They each were a “royal city” with a ruler that governed a number of “country towns”. For the next 150 years they were the most powerful entity in this part of the world, and they continued to gradually spread North, founding Tell Qasile, and East through the Jezreel valley to Beth-shan. People of War The Philistines were powerful because they had superior weapons. The Philistines had a monopoly on iron, but it wasn’t widely used until the tenth century. They were sophisticated. The tribe of Dan moved north to avoid them and Judah was under pressure to deal with them as well. The threat of the Philistines prompted Israel to ask for a king. By the time David killed Goliath, a giant from Gath, the Philistines had already moved far into Israelite territory. Culture & Religion Culture Originally called Sea Peoples Made up of Pentapolis - five city-states (Ashdod. Ashkelon, Ekrin, Gath, and Gaza Ruled by a tyrant and a royal city Heavily reflected Canaanite's culture (pottery, religion, and architecture) Religion Reflected the Canaanite's religion Worshiped Baal at Ekron (one of the five major cities Chieff god was Dagon (father of Baal) - associated only with Philistines Archaeology Most iformation was found from Excavations Bible is anachronistinc and of little value for History/Culture of Philistines Pots found are a mixture of Mycenaean, Cypriot, Egyptian, and Canaanite During the time of Iron Age Archaeology Archaeologists have found pieces of pottery painted with black and red. Archaeologists believe that the pottery in Philistia is from the settlement of the Philistines. Ashdod and Ekron have a lot of pottery, indicating substantial settling there and possibly local production of pottery. The Philistines had their own artistic culture but they readily absorbed local Canaanite and Egyptian artistic traditions. The similarity of the pottery found in Philistia to pottery found in Cyprus leads us to believe that Cyprus was the final departure point of the Philistines before immigrating. The pottery from those excavation sites is dated from the Iron Age, which is the time from King Ramesses III up to the reign of Ramesses VI. Interaction with other nations Israelites Samson Cycle: Samson’s Interactions with the Philistines - Challenge to contest of wits - Burned their fields of crops - Takes their gate and carries it away on his back - Kills thousands of them Samson is attracted to the Philistine women and marries two of them. Samson got his revenge on them when they captured him and gouged out his eyes by destroying their temple to Dagon, while many were inside worshiping their god. Philistines with the Ark of the Covenant: Fought Israel at Ebenezer and defeated them. Israel had the Ark there at Ebenezer and the Philistines captured it. The Ark caused many problems for the Philistines - When at the temple of Dagon, their idol of their god would be found face down, once with its head and hands missing. - Gath and Ekron housed the Ark, and while it was there, God sent a plague of tumors on the whole city. Interactions with Israel’s Kings: Saul - Spent most of his reign fighting against the Philistines - Ultimately died in a battle against the Philistines David - David killed Goliath, The Philistine’s champion, before he was king. (There is debate on whether or not David was the one who actually killed Goliath) - David was friendly with the Philistines when he became king. - He had Philistine men as his personal guards, in his entourage, and even had one watching the Ark of the Covenant. Solomon - The Israelites and Philistines were seemingly at peace with each other. If the kings of Israel obeyed God, they would defeat the Philistines, if not, the Philistines would overpower them. Assyrians Neo-Assyrian Empire was expanding and spreading east, it was only a matter of time before the Assyrians
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