Ancient Man and His First Civilizations

Canaan-2

Modern Palestine-Israel-Lebanon

In Canaan, like elsewhere in the region, the people went on to develop an advanced civilization. They lived in large cities with magnificent palaces and temples. They had writing, mathematics and a calendar, they also became great artisans, creating beautiful works of art. The main cities of Canaan were Jericho, Ugarit, Tyre, Sidon, Ebla, Biblos, Lachish, Hazor, Megiddo, Jerusalem and later, the North-African Phoenician settlement of Carthage.

Like all the other ancient societies, the Canaanite's had many gods, but their main gods were "El" and "Baal", with El being the supreme god.

Here are some modern names of ancient origin, which evoke the name of El: Michael - he who is like God, Daniel - God is my judge, Gabriel - strong man of God, Gamaliel - benefit of God, Hazael - one that sees God, Emmanuel - God is with us, Ishmael - God will hear, Israel - God contented.

Throughout its existence, Canaan's history was one of Egyptian domination. Sometimes this took the form of loose oversight, and sometimes it took the form of direct over-lordship with garrisoned troops. The reason for this close involvement was that Canaan provided a buffer zone for Egypt's security, and was the route out; going north and east, for Egyptian trade and military excursions. Not to mention the famous Canaanite Cedar trees that Egypt was dependent upon for its building projects. (later called the "Cedars of Lebanon").

The introduction of "bronze" in the Early Bronze Age (3000–2000 B.C.) brought about a cultural revolution marked by the development of metallurgy, and a decline in pottery. By the Middle Bronze Age (2000–1550 B.C.), Amorites who were originally nomads from the desert regions to the east, had penetrated Canaan and were inhabiting the hilly areas around the cities. From these hills, they launched raids and harassment attacks against the cities.

In addition to the Amorites, other invaders included the the Hurrians (the Horites of the Old Testament), who also came to Canaan from the north. The Late Bronze Age (1550–1200 B.C.), was marked by incursions of new Amorite marauders. As it were, over time the nomadic Amorites had been joined by Amorites who may have previously been in Mesopotamia. So that by now, the total of these Amorites had became the dominant element of the population in canaan.

In Egypt these Amorites had become known as Habiru or Hapiru (one who sells his services), whether these "services" were as Mercenaries or tradesman is unknown. In any event, the upheaval in Canaan naturally drew the attention of the Egyptian king. Egyptian troops were dispatched to Canaan in an attempt to eradicate the Habiru threat.

This letter to the Egyptian king, in reference to the Habiru/Amorites, sums-up the situation well.

A Letter from Abdu-Heba of Jerusalem
To the king, my Lord, thus speaks Abdu-Heba, your servant. At the feet of the king, my Lord, seven times and seven times I prostrate myself. What have I done to the king, my Lord? They blame me before the king, my Lord, saying: " Abdu-Heba has rebelled against the king, my Lord ". I am here, as far as I am concerned, it was not my father, nor my mother, who put to me in this position; the arm of the powerful king lead me to the house of my father! Why would I commit a transgression against the king, my Lord.

While the king, my Lord, lives, I will say to the commissioner of the king, my Lord: " Why do you favor the Hapiru and are opposed to the rulers? " And thus I am accused before the king, my Lord. Because it is said: " Lost are the territories of the king, my Lord ". Thus am I calumniated before the king, my Lord! But may the king, my Lord know, that, when the king sent a garrison, Yanhamu [1] seized everything, and... the land of Egypt... Oh king, my Lord, there are no garrison troops here! (Therefore), the king takes care of his land! May the king take care of his land! ! All the territories of the king have rebelled; Ilimilku caused the loss of all the territories of the king. May the king take care of his land!

I repeat: Allow me to enter the presence of the king, my Lord, and let me look into both eyes of the king, my Lord. But the hostility against me is strong, and I cannot enter the presence of the king, my Lord. May the king send garrison troops, in order that I may enter and look into the eyes of the king, my Lord. So certain as the king, my Lord, lives, when the commissioners come, I will say: Lost are the territories of the king. Do you not hear to me? All the rulers are lost; the king, my Lord, does not have a single ruler left. May the king direct his attention to the archers, and may the king, my Lord,send troops of archers, the king has no more lands. The Hapiru sack the territories of the king. If there are archers (here) this year, all the territories of the king will remain (intact); but if there are no archers, the territories of the king, my Lord, will be lost!
To the king, my Lord thus writes Abdu-Heba, your servant. He conveys eloquent words to the king, my Lord. All the territories of the king, my Lord, are lost.

By about 1200 B.C, all of the invasions and wars had started to squeeze the Canaanites. Some of them moved north along the Mediterranean coast, to what is today modern Lebanon. This became known as the "Phoenician culture", a Greek term for these Canaanites who moved north, and developed a new civilization on the coast of what is now modern Lebanon.

The Phoenicians were active merchants who traded throughout the Mediterranean and established colonies as far away as Spain. The best known of these Phoenician colonies was Carthage, one of the most famous cities of antiquity. It was founded on the north coast of Africa by the Phoenicians of Tyre, in 814 B.C. It is from here, that the great Phoenician general "Hannibal" (his name means - Joy of Baal), will launch his historic wars against Rome. Phoenicians are best known, for spreading a system of writing known as the “alphabet” to western civilizations. The Phoenicians were also renowned for their skill in carving ivory. Click here for the Story of Hannibal >>>