Philistines

Lore & Background

There is evidence to suggest that the Philistine identity began developing through the arrival in Canaan of a Greek migrant group from the Aegean. These people are thought to have settled in Canaan around 1175 BC, amidst the Late Bronze Age collapse, and intermixed with the indigenous Canaanite societies, from whom they assimilated elements while preserving their own unique culture. In 604 BC, the Philistines, who had been under the rule of the Neo-Assyrian Empire (911–605 BC), were ultimately vanquished by Nebuchadnezzar II of the Neo-Babylonian Empire (626–539 BC). Much like neighbouring Israel and Judah, the Philistine confederation's autonomy was crushed by foreign forces by the end of the Iron Age, reducing them to be vassals of the Assyrians, the Egyptians, and later the Babylonians. Historical sources suggest that Babylonian armies under Nebuchadnezzar II thoroughly destroyed Ashkelon and Ekron in response to a Philistine revolt, and the associated exile of much of the Philistine population during this time caused them to lose their distinct identity in Babylonia. By the late 5th century BC, the Philistines no longer appear as a distinct group in historical or archaeological records, though the extent of their assimilation remains a subject of debate.

Reader's Guide

The Philistines are widely known for being mentioned in the Hebrew Bible in the context of their armed conflicts with the Israelites. While this is the fullest source of information on their presence and activities in the region, they are first attested to in reliefs at Egypt's Temple of Ramesses III, where they are referred to in the Egyptian language as the Peleset, accepted as cognate with Hebrew-language Peleshet and parallel with Assyrian-language Palastu, Pilišti, or Pilistu. Some scholarship on Ancient Greece likewise identifies them with the Pelasgians. The Philistines also left behind a distinctive material culture.

Did You Know?

• The English term Philistine comes from Old French Philistin, from Classical Latin Philistinus, from Late Greek Philistinoi, from Koine Greek Φυλιστιείμ (Philistiim), from Hebrew Pəlištī, meaning 'people of Pəlešeṯ'.
• The native Philistine endonym is unknown.
• Philistine pottery has been found far outside of Philistia, including in the Jezreel Valley, but in small quantities, suggesting they were a minority there and assimilated by the 10th century BC.
• The Philistine pentapolis consisted of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, and Gath.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Philistines were ancient people who lived on the south coast of Canaan during the Iron Age in a confederation of city-states generally referred to as Philistia." — Philistines "/ And the abominations from between his teeth. / But he who remains, even he shall be for our God, / And shall be like a leader in Judah, / And Ekron like a Jebusite." — Philistines