Philistia

Philistia (Biblical pentapolis)
1175–722 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
Government		Federation
Historical era		Iron Age
•	Late Bronze Age collapse	1175
•	Assyrian conquest of the Levant	722 BC
Preceded by Succeeded by Canaanites Assyrian Empire

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. Philistia ruled major parts of southern Canaan at the peak of its expansion, but was eventually conquered and subdued by neighbouring Israelites.

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

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

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.

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. All these sites and others in the area had Philistine settlements.

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.

Kings

• Achish the king of Gath

See also

• Philistines

External links

• Strongs Lexicon

• 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
• 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