Despite the Philistine rule of the lower portion of the Levant region, the Hebrew religion remained unaffected by their influence. While the Philistine civilization drew heavily from their Aegean counterparts (as seen by their rebranding of Canaanite cities to Greco names), the invaders' very dominance over Palestine did not amount to much of anything in the way of changes to the Semitic culture.
Upon the Philistine conquest of the five largest Canaanite cities Ekron, Askalon, Gaza, Ashdod, and Gath, each was left without a ruler, Gath being the sole exception. Within Gath was the seat of the king, who ruled the entirety of the Philistine Confederation. New towns were settled in the hillside surrounding these cities, primarily Philistine in makeup and origin though this was not to last as the populace soon intermingled.
Philistine rule was designed to dominate by force, militarily. Ironically distrustful of invaders, they viewed uncircumcised men and their brethren as unwelcomed visitors at best, and until king David would later rise to liberate his people, maintained a strangle-hold upon key areas in Judah and Israel.
The culmination of this repression of the Israelites by the Philistines resulted in war. At Ebenezer, a site in southern Palestine, two major battles took place between the Philistines and the Israelites. The Philistine warriors in full battle-regalia the first won against the Israelites, capturing the Ark of the Covenant. In the follow-up battle, the mercenary units of David, the Cherethites, made their presence known, winning the uprising king and his Israelites the day and their well-earned independence.
Nothing detracts more from a dictator's rule than a disinterested populace. In the case of the Philistine dominance over the Semitic peoples, it was less than two centuries for a rebellion to build and surmount an efficient effort of resistance.
When it comes to Palestine, historically speaking, rule over the the Semitic people always bears a limited shelf life, as their spirit to prevail in their fight for freedom proves them victors for thousands of years in whatever contests of attrition they are subjected to in order to survive.
No comments:
Post a Comment