Philistia

Philistia (Biblical pentapolis)
1175 BC–722 BC
The Philistine cities of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, and Gath, as described in the Bible
Capital		Not specified
Languages		Philistine language, Canaanite language, Hebrew language
Religion		Canaanite religion
Demonym		Philistine
Government		Federation
Historical era		Iron Age
•	Late Bronze Age collapse	1175 BC
•	Assyrian conquest of the Levant	722 BC
Preceded by Succeeded by Canaanites Neo-Assyrian Empire

Philistia (Hebrew: פלשת‎‎, Pleshet) was, according to Joshua 13:3 and 1 Samuel 6:17, a Pentapolis in south-western Levant, comprising Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath, and Gaza. The Philistines or Peleset were believed to be Indo-European speaking invaders to the region, arriving either from Crete and the Aegean or western Anatolia during the Bronze Age Collapse.

The Pentapolis is described in the Hebrew Bible as being in constant struggle and interaction with the neighbouring Israelites, Canaanites and Egyptians, being gradually absorbed into the Canaanite culture. Philistia ruled major parts of southern Canaan at the peak of its expansion, but was eventually conquered and subdued by neighbouring Israelites.

The Philistines were not mentioned following the conquest of the Levant by the Neo-Assyrian Empire (911-605 BC).

The area east of Gaza, particularly around Nahal Besor brook that reaches into the hills as far as Beersheva had very substantial Philistine occupation. This area is a part of Negev desert. It also includes the Nahal Gerar brook to the north that joins Nahal Besor before the stream flows into the Mediterranean.