This Friday, I went Ashkelon, a city which lies 116 km north to our campus. I had the opportunity to see Dead Sea and the Red Sea, but not the famous Mediterranean Sea . Ashkelon was the nearest option for me. Initially, I was a bit hesitant, because on Thursday many Qassam rockets were bombarded in Ashkelon from Gaza and the area was added to the “code red” warning system. Anyhow, didn’t want to waste my holiday and took the chance. Started from campus at 7.30 am to Beer Sheva; took the Egged Bus No: 363 from Beer Sheva at 9 am and reached Ashkelon by 10.30 am. On the way, the bus had stops in Netivot (An orthodox Jewish Settlements) and Sederot (the city which has been a frequent target of Qassam rocket attacks nowadays). From Ashkelon central bus station, got the city bus No:6 to the National Park. The park maintains very attractive lawns and picnic spots for public in the beautiful Mediterranean background. However, for those who are interested in history there are ruins well preserved from post Biblical periods. There are even many areas, where excavations are still going on and thus not allowed for public view. After spending 3 hours, I walked back to the bus station (20 min). Just lucky enough to get the second last bus to Beer Sheva at 1.35 pm (As for Sabbath bus services end by afternoon)....back to campus by 4 pm. A brief description about these sites.
Modern City
Modern Ashkelon is the 13th largest city in Israel with a population about 117,000. Ashkelon's 13 km long sea coast and the ideal climate make it a famous tourist spot. One of the world's largest water desalination plant operates at Ashkelon with a capacity of 330,000 cubic meters per day.
Ancient City
It is the oldest and largest seaport of ancient Canaan; One of the "five cities" of the Philistines; and the birth place of Herod (37 BC). Alexander the great, Richard the Lion heart and Saladin are some who conquered Ashkelon.
In archaeological point of view, the oldest arched city gate in the world, a 3,500 years old silver calf and a 2,500-year-old dog cemetery (~700 dogs) are some of the remarkable findings from here. Interestingly, the Madaba map/6th cent AD (the oldest surviving map of Holyland available) and the Merneptah stele/13th cent BC (the first inscription where Israel is mentioned by name in history), describes Ashkelon.
Ancient Ashkelon was spread in an area of 150 acre, surrounded by a wall 2.4 km long, 50 feet high and 150 feet thick, harbouring 15,000 people. At least 20 ancient cities, one upon the other, dating from before 3500 BC to 1500 AD are believed to lie buried here. Currently, the findings from this ancient city are preserved by the Ashkelon national park.
Biblical Ashkelon
Ashkelon is one of the five Philistine cities; the other four are Ashdod, Gath, Ekron and Gaza. It is first mentioned in Bible in the book of Joshua (13:3). Although the tribe of Judah conquered it after returning from Egypt (Judges 1:18), the city remained in the hands of the Philistines only. When the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant, it was carried through Ashkelon, but later returned to Israelites (1 Samuel 6:17). The most famous Biblical personality associated with Ashkelon is Samson. He killed 30 Philistines here to procure their clothes as a payment for a wager he had lost (Judg 14:10-19). Ashkelon reappears in Bible in the famous lament of David at the death of Saul; “Thy beauty O Israel upon thy high places is slain... Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.” (2 Samuel 1:19-20). Later, in many Biblical prophecies, Ashkelon invites special wrath of God {Amos (1:7, 8); Jeremiah (Jer 25:20; 47:5,7); Zephaniah (2:4,7); Zechariah (9:5)}. In Maccabean times it was captured by Jonathan (1 Macc 10:86; 11:60).
History of Ashkelon
Ashkelon has a rich history spanning 5000 years. It can be broadly divided into the following periods:
Canaanite (2200-1175 B.C.) Philistine and Biblical (1175-604 B.C)
Modern City
Modern Ashkelon is the 13th largest city in Israel with a population about 117,000. Ashkelon's 13 km long sea coast and the ideal climate make it a famous tourist spot. One of the world's largest water desalination plant operates at Ashkelon with a capacity of 330,000 cubic meters per day.
Ancient City
It is the oldest and largest seaport of ancient Canaan; One of the "five cities" of the Philistines; and the birth place of Herod (37 BC). Alexander the great, Richard the Lion heart and Saladin are some who conquered Ashkelon.
In archaeological point of view, the oldest arched city gate in the world, a 3,500 years old silver calf and a 2,500-year-old dog cemetery (~700 dogs) are some of the remarkable findings from here. Interestingly, the Madaba map/6th cent AD (the oldest surviving map of Holyland available) and the Merneptah stele/13th cent BC (the first inscription where Israel is mentioned by name in history), describes Ashkelon.
Ancient Ashkelon was spread in an area of 150 acre, surrounded by a wall 2.4 km long, 50 feet high and 150 feet thick, harbouring 15,000 people. At least 20 ancient cities, one upon the other, dating from before 3500 BC to 1500 AD are believed to lie buried here. Currently, the findings from this ancient city are preserved by the Ashkelon national park.
Biblical Ashkelon
Ashkelon is one of the five Philistine cities; the other four are Ashdod, Gath, Ekron and Gaza. It is first mentioned in Bible in the book of Joshua (13:3). Although the tribe of Judah conquered it after returning from Egypt (Judges 1:18), the city remained in the hands of the Philistines only. When the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant, it was carried through Ashkelon, but later returned to Israelites (1 Samuel 6:17). The most famous Biblical personality associated with Ashkelon is Samson. He killed 30 Philistines here to procure their clothes as a payment for a wager he had lost (Judg 14:10-19). Ashkelon reappears in Bible in the famous lament of David at the death of Saul; “Thy beauty O Israel upon thy high places is slain... Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.” (2 Samuel 1:19-20). Later, in many Biblical prophecies, Ashkelon invites special wrath of God {Amos (1:7, 8); Jeremiah (Jer 25:20; 47:5,7); Zephaniah (2:4,7); Zechariah (9:5)}. In Maccabean times it was captured by Jonathan (1 Macc 10:86; 11:60).
History of Ashkelon
Ashkelon has a rich history spanning 5000 years. It can be broadly divided into the following periods:
Canaanite (2200-1175 B.C.) Philistine and Biblical (1175-604 B.C)
Phoenician and Persian (604-332) Greek (332-37)
Roman (37-324) Christian/Byzantine (324-638)
Early Muslim (638-1099) Crusader (1099-1291)
Late Muslim (1291-1516) Turks /Ottoman (1516-1917)
British (1917-1948) Egypt (May 1948-Dec. 1949)
Israel (Dec 1949-till date)
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashkelon
http://www.ashkelon.muni.il/openning_eng.asp
http://www.jewishmag.com/41mag/ashkelon/ashkelon.htm
Roman (37-324) Christian/Byzantine (324-638)
Early Muslim (638-1099) Crusader (1099-1291)
Late Muslim (1291-1516) Turks /Ottoman (1516-1917)
British (1917-1948) Egypt (May 1948-Dec. 1949)
Israel (Dec 1949-till date)
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashkelon
http://www.ashkelon.muni.il/openning_eng.asp
http://www.jewishmag.com/41mag/ashkelon/ashkelon.htm
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