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People of the Sea: The Search for the Philistines

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It is part of our culture to call those we consider to be lacking in culture a 'Philistine'. This, of course, is a derivative of a biblical reference, and for the past 4000 years of so, the Philistines have been a mysterious people about whom not much was known, save that they were supposedly uncultured.

This, however, is a very distorted view, primarily due to the fact that the Philistines, being in close competition with the tribes of Israel for the same piece of real estate, were viewed as foreign, alien, and the enemy. Eventually the united tribes of Israel won out over the Philistines, and wrote the primary historical references we have about their foe, and thus, we get the victor's view--and in Biblical times, it was quite traditional that any enemy be seen as devoid of redeeming features.

In fact, there are still no examples of Philistine writing that have been found--rather curious, considering the large settlements (cities, in fact) that have been discovered that would be of Philistine origin or population. Could it be that this group was, as a people, illiterate? This is very remote possibility, but still has to be considered.

There is a problem with determining the origin of the Philistines, too. There are two different origins ascribed to them. In the biblical record, the Philistines are included among 'the sons of Egypt' (Gen. 10:14) as well as in Ezekiel, the are linked to an obscure tribe called the Cherethites (Ez 25:16), which is related to the inhabitants of the isle of Caphtor (Jeremiah 47:4), which is unknown. Of course, it makes sense that the Israelites first encounter with the Philistines would have been in Egypt, for the Sea Peoples settled in various spots along the south-eastern Mediterranean, and there are references on Egyptian stelae and battle-monuments to Sea Peoples most likely kin to, if not in fact, the Philistines.

Of course, the Semitic root of the word Philistine (p-l-sh) also is the root of the words 'to wander' and 'to invade'. Pottery evidence shows similarities to technique and design for pottery making to that of other late Mycenaean peoples, pointing once again to a sea-origin for the Philistines. It is likely that the Philistines were invaders and marauders (similar to the Danes and Vikings of early English history) who eventually settled in relatively safe coastal lands (having been fairly definitively defeated in their attempts to enter Egypt by Ramesses II).

Interestingly, while most biblically-referenced Philistine cities have been located, not all have; likewise, Philistine settlements and even one city with no biblical references have been found. Trude and Moshe Dothan, both archaeologists of note with particular interest in the Philistines, put together this wonderful book based on their own researches and field work. High praise goes to archaeologists who take the time to publish their findings; it is a great scandal of the profession today that so much research goes unpublished, awaiting an archaeology of a different sort by future generations who try to resurrect the work using libraries rather than sand brushes.

The Dothans explore the tomb evidence, the ruins of settlements and cities, the pottery fragments, as well as reported histories and possible references from sources both biblical and extra-biblical. From these, we discern a culture quite different from the typical biblical diatribe.

+ The Philistines had a refined sense of art, that combined Greek, Minoan, and Egyptian styles with innovations of their own, in architecture, religious icons, pottery, and burial practices.

+ The artistic designs of the Philistines were actually quite beautiful by any standards.

+ As a city people, the Philistines were concerned for and maintained good economic relationship along trade routes (a common concern this part of the world) as well as among the people in the countryside, with whom they largely lived in peaceful cooperation.

+ Social stability remained high among the Philistines, and declined more or less with the general Mycenaean decline.

+ The Philistines were not a homogeneous group, but were used to diversity of ethnicities in their cities.

+ Most likely the Philistines were not finished off by the tribes of Israel, but rather the same rise of Assyria and Babylon which destroyed Israel and Judah sounded the death knell for the Philistines as well.

This fascinating book will cause the reader to re-evaluate all previous notions of who the Philistines were. Rich with detailed drawings, maps, and archaeological/architectural renderings, including plates of photographs (including my personal favourites, the bichrome pottery ware with typical bird motif from Ashdod), this book is a fun and educational tour of a largely ignored people who have more significance than would appear at first glance.

This small work is monumental in its implications. Trude and her husband Moshe (now deceased) summarize their work in excavating Ashdod in modern Israel. They draw upon their many years of hands-on, field work as well as the efforts of others.
Ashdod was one of the five cities of the Philistine "pentapolis" so-called.

Students of the huge turmoil in the Mediterranean of the 1300-1100 BCE period will find this a must read. The Dothan's work along with the work of others clearly suggest that this period in human history may have been the most significant in human time for Egypt, the Levant, Crete, Cyprus and all of the Aegean islands and the associated peoples. The Greeks, Hittites, Mycenaeans, Phonecians, Hebrews, Assyrians, Egyptians and not the least, the Philistines, were all dramatically effected. The impact of these enormous movements and cultural shifts is with us today.

The Dothans conclude that the Philistines, as one of the "sea peoples," --one that is not necessarily ethnically homogeneous-- settled peaceably in some parts of Palestine and farmed and produced crafts, both similar to and different from, those they brought with them; their locally produced pottery incorporated motifs from the entire region. Their entry was not a matter of brutal conquest and destruction of all the settled inhabitants they encountered. Philistine influence is clearly shown to have reached well beyond the immediate environs of the "five cities."

A special bonus incorporated into "People of the Sea" is the discussion of Yigael Yadin's ideas about a group of people from the sea that became one of the "tribes" of Israel or almost so. Most readers will find this discussion fascinating.

This is a highly readable account of the Dothan's research. Few can quarrel with the thoroughness of the work on which the findings are based. One might quarrel with what is surely one if not the most important conclusions only because it is too subtly stated! The Philistines were deliberately characterized by their neighbors as other than what they truly were. The Bible projects infamy, the facts otherwise.

The Philistines were both accomplished and sophisticated contributors to the cultures of the Levant. This reviewer suspects the work of the Dothans will stand for a long time. Their goal was surely not to expose the Judean writers and editors of the Old Testament as political propagandists. But there it is.

7-21-2002 psb

In this interesting book, two of the preeminent authorities on the Philistines, husband and wife archaeologists Moshe and Trude Dothan, discuss the Sea Peoples in general, and the Philistines in particular. The book takes the form of a history of the knowledge about the Philistines, focusing particularly on the digs and discoveries of the Dothans.

First off, I must admit that I was rather disappointed with this book. I was looking for a book that would give an organized explanation of what is known about the Philistines. The book is somewhat of that, but the way it explains what is known by when it was discovered gives you a somewhat disjointed review of the information. As such, as a book about the Philistines it is a disappointment.

However, the book never was intended to be a book strictly about the Philistines. Instead, what it aims to be is a memoire of the Dothan's experiences and discoveries, and it certainly does hit the target it aims at.

As such, if you want to learn more about the Philistines, who they were and what they did, then this is probably not the best book to start with. If, on the other hand, you are interested in archaeology, and how we learned what we do know about the Philistines, then this is definitely the book for you. It's all down to what you want in a book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it did a lot to improve my understanding: both of Palestine's early history and of the hurdles that archaeologists must overcome to do their work effectively.

I found Search for the Phillistines an excellent work for the layman which includes me. At the same time, obviously a scholarly work. I have read a good deal on The Peoples of the Sea and this was the best in helping to identify, at least, some of the origins.

A while ago a friend and I went to a college seminar to hear the authors of this book talk of their Philistine findings. I bought this book afterward to compare what they 'dug up' with what the Bible says. I was glad to see so much was found to endorse the accuracy of the Bible. Archeological evidence shows the Philistines are from Crete, as the Bible says. The cities they excavated are mentioned in the Bible, the war areas, homes built outside of city walls (a rarity) as the Bible says. Descriptions of Philistine garments match the Bible's. King Uzziah's war against the Philistines recorded in the Bible was found. Excavations of buildings King Solomon had built. Pharaoh Shishak's invasion, as the Bible says. Reminders of false gods Dagan and Ashdoda were found as the Holy Scriptures say. Assyria conquered the Philistines, removed them and replaced them with foreigners, just as the Bible says also happened to the 10-Tribe Kingdom of Israel. Even a temple with pillars, comparable to what the Bible said Samson died in! True, they didn't find everything the Bible mentions about them but, what they did find is harmonious with the Sacred Writings. While the authors admit to the Bible's accuracy for these things and even a few Biblical prophecies pertaining to the Philistines coming true, they still question the accuracy of the actual events the writers recorded while being totally aware of the commandment; "Thou shall not bare false witness." Regardless, I take to heart the accuracy of the Bible as it is the inspired Word of God. "People of the Sea" is worthwhile reading presenting archeological finds that supports the Bible and virtually nothing that's inconsistent! And, yes, the Bible does highlight the Philistine's 'bad side' as far as clashing with the Israelites, but it never says the Philistines had no good qualities.

This is the finest book written in regards to the Philistines. I cannot even begin to describe how significant the book brought in cultural information to me. The Philistines are by far an advanced, cultured, ambigious, powerful, phantom, harrassing race of highly cultured people.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Philistines were fleeing Minoans and greeks from Crete. In my personal opinion, there is no absolute origion other then this in which i have just described that fits in the record. The Philistine language is so advanced and difficult to decypher that even the most well professed archaeologists, historians and all to her authorities on the Philistines have not been able to determine its exact content together.