Palestine: The Ancient Land of Canaan

Q: When was Palestine first called Palestine?

The term 'Palestine' first appears in the Histories of the Greek writer Herodotus in the 5th century BCE.

Q: What was Palestine known as prior to the 5th century BCE?

Before Herodotus called the region 'Palestine,' it is was traditionally known as Canaan.

Q: What does the term 'Palestine' mean?

It is thought to mean "the land of the Philistines."

Q: When did the Philistines first come to Canaan?

The Philistines are thought to have arrived in Canaan in the 12th century BCE.

Joshua J. Mark

Definition

In the ancient world, Palestine was part of the region known as Canaan, where the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah were located. The term "Philistia" (from which "Palestine" comes) initially referred to an area of land in southern Canaan, which the people known as the Philistines occupied a very small part of.

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Timeline

c. 3500 BCE - c. 2000 BCE
Nomads settle the region and initiate agriculture during the Early Bronze Age.
c. 2000 BCE - c. 1550 BCE
Cities develop and trade expands in the region during the Middle Bronze Age. Canaan (later known as Palestine) becomes important trade hub.
c. 1550 BCE - c. 1200 BCE
Canaan (later known as Palestine) is absorbed by the Egyptian Empire, flourishes in trade.
c. 1250 BCE - 1200 BCE
General upheaval in the region, possibly caused by Israelite conquest under General Joshua.
c. 1175 BCE
Philistines arrive in Canaan (later known as Palestine) and settle on coast.
c. 1020 BCE
Kingdom of Israel is founded in Canaan.
c. 1020 BCE
Rise of the Kingdom of Israel.
1000 BCE
David captures Jerusalem.
c. 931 BCE
Kingdom of Israel splits in two after death of Solomon; Kingdom of Judah founded.
722 BCE
Canaan (later known as Palestine) invaded by Assyrian Empire; Kingdom of Israel destroyed and Kingdom of Judah subjugated.
598 BCE - 582 BCE
Babylonians invade Canaan; Kingdom of Judah destroyed, region subjugated.
c. 539 BCE
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon; Canaan claimed by the Persian Empire. .
c. 334 BCE
Alexander the Great conquers the Persian Empire and claims Canaan.
c. 167 BCE
Maccabean Revolt frees Palestine from foreign rule and allows for rise of Hasmonean Dynasty.
c. 63 BCE
Palestine taken by Rome.
66 CE - 136 CE
The Jewish-Roman Wars; Rebellion in Palestine is crushed and citizens deported.
634 CE
Muslim armies invade and conquer Palestine.
18 Mar 1068 CE
An earthquake strikes the Levant causing widespread destruction and the loss of upwards of 20,000 lives in Palestine through Syria. A later earthquake the same year in May caused further damage and loss of life.
2 Nov 1917 CE
The Balfour Declaration is sent in a letter from British foreign secretary Arthur Balfour to Lord Rothschild of the Jewish community proclaiming Britain's support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. The declaration was published November 9, stipulating that "nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine.".