Bronze and Iron Ages
Mesopotamia
A region in Modern Iraq between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Along the fertile crescent. The birthplace of Assyria and Babylon. The first two external powers to rule our region.
Mount Gerizim
The site of the Samaritan temple to the same God of Israel. Built during the Persian Period, as a response to the exiled-Judean rebuke (Biblical Narrative).
Lake of Galilee
One of the most significant freshwater sources in our region. Its main source is the Jordan River. In the North of Modern Israel, on the Syrian African Rift.
1993-5
The Oslo Accords. A pair agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (1993 & 1995). Intended as a path to Palestinian statehood.
Terms: Oslo Accords, PLO, West Bank (A/B/C), Modern State of Israel, PA.
What is the difference between Race and Ethnicity?
Race relates to the genetic profile of a person and involves bodily features such as Color of skin, hair, facial features, etc. Not ancient, but modern. Ethnicity (from the Greek ethos = nation) is an acquired identity that one chooses to belong to and is designed by features such as language, shared history, religion, and culture. Ethnic markers are cultural.
Water (significance + name two fresh water sources)
Crucial to understanding the region! The Middle East is short on water, fresh, drinking water. The reason behind so many settlement choices. The Lake of Galilee, the Yarkon River, and the Siloam Spring we have discussed.
The Second Temple
Built by returning deportees of Judea. The building was allowed by Cyrus, postponed for various reasons (potentially for reasons outlined in Ezra) and finished in 516 BCE. Burned by Pompey and the Romans in 70 CE.
Golan Heights
Next to the Lake of Galilee. Has been occupied and administered by Israel since the 1967 Six-Day War. Israel eventually annexed the land from Syria.
70 CE
The destruction of the Second Temple.
Terms: Religion, Jerusalem, Judiasm.
What is the difference between the PLO and the PA?
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is the international representative of the Palestinians. The Palestinian Authority (PA) are the administrative body which govern parts of the West Bank (created in the Oslo Accords).
Samaritans
The former, non-deported, residents of the Northern Kingdom of Israel its destruction at the hands of Assyria. Developed a parellel identity to Judeans, also arguing with returning exiles during the Persian Period. Built their own Temple on Mt. Gezirim. Samaria is razed by Alexander the Great after the locals revolt against an appointed Greek govener.
Seleucus
General Seleucus I Nicator. One of Alexander's diadochi (generals who fought over his empire). Founder of the Selecuid Empire, which stretched from Asia Minor to India. Ruled our region from 198 BCE - Hasmonean revolt.
Damascus
Ancient city and capital of Syria. The Via Maris runs from Egypt along the coastal plain to Damascus and Mesopotamia. Assyria took Damascus before the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 720 BCE.
40/37 BCE
Octavian and Mark Antony (post-Ides of March) name Herod as King of the Jews. Herod lands in Ptolemais (Acre), and launched a campaign to win his Kingdom.
In 37 BCE, Herod officially ending the Hasomaean dynasty.
Terms: Hasmonean, Herod, Maccabees.
Explain the significance of pottery.
We can use pottery unearthed within tels to learn about different cultural preferences (part of their material culture). Everyday ware like jars and lamps give us insight into a people's day-to-day. At Tel Qasile, we can see a mixture of Philistine and Canaanite elements in pottery.
Ramses III
An Egypitan pharoah (ca. 1198 - 1166 BCE) who halted the Sea People's progress from Phonecia. Trude Dothan belives Ramses III gave the Philistines permission to settle on the seashore plains of Canaan.
Judah Maccabeus
A military leader, from a family of priests, who lead the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucids. "Maccabee" means the hammer. Still very important in Modern Israel.
Idumaea
A pahva occupied by the previous Edomites of Jordan, who crossed the Jordan River at the end of the Iron Age. Contains Maresha, where we see the Apollophanes Inscription. An example of immigration and Hellenism.
c. 1000 BCE
Around this time, "David" conquers Jerusalem from the Canaanites (Jevus).
Terms: Temple Mount / First Temple, David, Jevus, Jerusalem, Canaanites, Solomon.
What is koine?
Hybrid dialects which (in our region) blended Greek and Canaanite elements during the Hellenistic Period. Formed as a direct result of Greek and Semetic peoples.
Stratigraphic Method
Geological / archaeological technique to study layers of rock, soil, or cultural deposits (strata). Often used on the tels of Modern Israel and Palestine. What is a tel!
Antiochus IV
In 175 BCE, this Selecuid king turned the city of Jerusalem into a polis. Antiochus IV adopts Greek cultural mechanisms of running a city. Jerusalem was Hellenized way before that, but Hellenism is adopted as a central def. of city here. Jerusalem becomes Antiochus. The Maccabean Revolt starts as a "response" to such changes, 12-years later.
Caesarea
Port city, on the Seashore plains (north of Tel Avid-Jaffa), built by Herod and the Romans.
198 BCE
The transition from Ptolemaic to Seleucid Rule.
Terms: Hellenism, Alexander the Great, Ptolemy, Seleucid. Bonus for hyparchies!
Please draw The Map on the board and label the following items:
1. The Pahvas of the Persian Period
2. The Negev
3. Maresha
4. Carmel Mountain
5. Haifa
6. Qumran
Draw.