CLASSICS 2LW3 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Ten Lost Tribes, Arameans, Nebuchadnezzar Ii
28 Jun 2018
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Sources of Israelite and Judaean History
E.g. The Hittites (referred to themselves as the Hatusi) are known solely from archaeological
excavations
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The Battle of Jericho - A biblical tale tells of the fall of Jericho at the hands of Joshua - it is likely
that while the tale is propaganda-based (dated 1300 BC), there is some evidence of conflicts within
the city sometime later (1100 BC) with evidence of collapsed mudbrick walls from 2000 BC
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Archaeology, consisting of material culture excavated from ruins
1.
The Bible, including the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and the Old Testament
2.
Historical accounts of the Jews (Maccabees 1 and 2, Josephus, etc.)
3.
There are three main sources of Judaean history:
History of Israel as a Nation
2100 BC - Abraham
Abraham was called on by God to settle on new lands (land originally inhabited by the Canaanites. He was
originally from Ur, probably around the time of Ur-Nammu and the restoration of Ur, or possibly around the
time of the collapse of Ur-III. He may have settled in the Levant with his family, with him being the patriarch.
2000 - 1876 BC - Patriarchal Age
1876 BC - Descent into Egypt by Joseph, who was sold into slavery, but eventually all the sons would
follow
•
The family grew to half a million within this period, originally not in captivity , but over time they
were enslaved by the Egyptians and made to become manufacturers of bricks
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1876 - 1446 BC - The Egyptian Sojourn
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There is almost no direct evidence outside of the biblical account and many historians deny the
accounts entirely. A historical reason for the journey to Egypt may include: famine in Israel,
expanding populations with coherent tribal identities leading to violent emigration, progression
from famine slavery to chattel slavery, and general upheaval in the region between 1300 - 1150 BC
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1446 BC - Moses Escaping to the Sinai Desert
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Hittites are conquerors, but turn their attention from Mesopotamia to the Levant, and Kassite
kingdoms in Sumer
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One of the earliest known public documents of international law - Ramesses II of Egypt and
Hattusilis III of the Hittites
▪
1280 BC - Battle of Kadesh leading to the Treaty of Kadesh
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1590 BC - Hammurabi's Superordinate Kingdom of Babylonia Conquered by the Hittites
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Biblical accounts probably contain a kernel of historical truth, especially regarding famine and
slavery
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Book of Judges (the historical narrative) depicts the invasion of Canaan, war against Philistine
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Patriarchal history is important for the self understanding of the earliest historical Israelites
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Possible invasions from "sea peoples", though they are too general to be of one national group,
and are instead likely to be Indo-Europeans displaced from other Bronze Age civilizations as a
symptom of widespread collapse
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An alternative explanation is that Israelite society formed as a result of peasant rebellions from a
previously already affluent society in Canaan
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Historicity of the Pre-Judges Period
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Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (later named Israel) are the three biblical patriarchs according to Genesis. From
Jacob came 12 sons, who would father the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
10th century - 722 BC - Israel and Judah
1000 - 961 BC - Zenith under David; instead of being ruled by judges, it was reigned by a King
•
961 - 922 BC - Solomon faced external pressures, but managed to consolidate power, and the First
Temple/Solomon's Temple was constructed under him
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922 - 721 BC - Israel split into two politically independent Kingdoms: The north established a capital at
Samaria, while the south retained Davidic kingship and established a capital in Jerusalem
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The Nation of Israel comprised of 12 semi-autonomous tribes.
833 - 859 BC - Assyria under Ashurnasirpal II
Founded by Ashurnasirpal II in the Levant, checked by a coalition of Syrian, Phoenician, and Israeli cities.
Introduction to Ancient Israel
September 14, 2017
3:41 PM
Ancient Law Page 1
Document Summary
There are three main sources of judaean history: Archaeology, consisting of material culture excavated from ruins. The hittites (referred to themselves as the hatusi) are known solely from archaeological excavations. The bible, including the hebrew bible (tanakh) and the old testament. Historical accounts of the jews (maccabees 1 and 2, josephus, etc. ) Abraham was called on by god to settle on new lands (land originally inhabited by the canaanites. He was originally from ur, probably around the time of ur-nammu and the restoration of ur, or possibly around the time of the collapse of ur-iii. He may have settled in the levant with his family, with him being the patriarch. Abraham, isaac, and jacob (later named israel) are the three biblical patriarchs according to genesis. Jacob came 12 sons, who would father the twelve tribes of israel. 1876 bc - descent into egypt by joseph, who was sold into slavery, but eventually all the sons would follow.
