Ancient Israel

Geography

• Ancient Israel was surrounded by Egypt and other tribes
• Israel was considered the center of the world in the Old Testament
• Israel was divided in 931B.C.

Religious Background

• Between 1300 and 1200 B.C.: Ancient Israelites settled in Canaan
• Occurred after the decendents of the Abraham escaped slavery in Egypt

New Religious Ideas

• Israelites were unique because they were the first known group of people to celebrate Monotheism
• Had ethical behavior which was expected of their people- treat everyone with respect
• Religion affected the laws - fairness and justice

Conflicts

• First conflict was before 1335 B.C.
• Leader Akhenaton reforms encouraged the worship of a Sun god named Aton
• Other conflict was the Israelite kingdom split in half
• Israel (North) fell to the Assyrians in 722 B.C.
• Judah (South) fell to the Babylonians in 586 B.C.

Israel Religion

• During the Biblical Judges period people ate a basic diet
• In the Book of Samuel (25:18) he illustrates basic ancient diet: bread, wine, parched grains, raisins, and figcakes

Basic Religious Beliefs

• Meat was reserved for special occasions as a sacrifice in the Old Testament
• Bread in the Bible Land was basic nourishment
• People left bread unleavened for Passover
• To drink unmixed wine was regarded as a sign of great intemperance

Family

• Four basic levels of family
• Bayit- "the household"
• Regular- include debt servants, slaves, day laborers and orphans.
• Mishpachah loosely refers to "clan" or large social units
• Polygamy among the wealthiest households
• Mattah or "tribe" consisted of many clans

Food

• Alcohol was consumed
• Bread was a staple food
• Meat was a special treat and was eaten on holidays.
• Breakfast: light meal (typically olives and bread)

Economy

• Ancient Israel was an agrarian society: required extensive cooperation
• Land was essential to survival
• People used land for farming and living

Politics

• David was king united the 12 tribes
• Renamed Jebus, Jerusalem (city of peace)
• He expanded the borders of Israel

Politics

• 970 B.C. Solomon becomes king
• After his rein most tribes left the kingdom (931 B.C.)
• The kingdom split in two after Solomon's death
• Monotheistic and Polytheistic faiths clashed

Trouble in Israel

• 722 B.C. Northern Kingdom of Israel is destroyed by the Assyrians (as a result of the split in 931 B.C.)
• Aramaens broke away from the Israelites
• Religious revival takes place in Southern Kingdom of Judah
• The Kingdom falls
• King of Babylon became powerful which leads to the Babylonian Period

Culture (Clothing)

• Wool/linen which included tunics, mantles (outer garments), and simple shoes
• Wore headdresses - both men and women had long hair
• In Egypt short hair- elegant wigs
• Beards showed social classes (kings and some queens had ceremonial beards)

Culture (Games)

• People play checkers, backgammon, and chess
• The games have been played since 5000 B.C. and are still continued to be played during 1000 B.C.

Cultural Conditions

• In marriage girls were expected to be virgins when they get married
• If they weren't they could be punished with the death penalty
• Men could marry multiple women and have control over who they marry

Culture (Marriage)

• A man had to give a girl's father a gift to seal betrothal
• After the betrothal, wedding festivities took place