3. ID Philistines
Return to History 8 Near East Vocabulary
The Philistines, also known as the Pelset, were one of the tribes of the Sea Peoples that arrived on the Mediterranean coast from their native area, the Aegean, after the social and economic upheaval around 1200 BCE. They were associated with new ethnic and political identities and the new lifestyle that came with the collapse of Egyptian rule. They invaded Egypt and their first mention was in Egyptian inscriptions. The modern day region Palestine was named for the Philistines in which they settled and established five cities ruled by lords who acted through a council on behalf of the entire nation. The Philistines had an intense rivalry with the Israelites due to conflicts concerning land, and they were able to maintain military dominance through their superior skills in smithing iron and weapons. The Philistines were finally defeated by the Israelites in the 10th century BCE after many years of conflict, later becoming part of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. Little is known about the culture of the Philistines because there is little evidence of any documents or language that remains to tell us about the past, however distinctive pottery was found at Philistine sites along with shrines and temples.
Sources:
- Origins Manual, page 111
- http://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/59701
Picture:
- Captives
Yukiko Chevray
