About the 13th century B.C., a group of people known as the Philistines came to Canaan. They were tall and dark, and the men wore striking tufted headdresses. Although little is known about them, these men and women may have been of Greek origin, part of the Sea People who were driven from their homeland in Asia Minor by a severe famine.
The Philistines settled in the coastal plain between the hill country of Judah and the Mediterranean Sea. There, they established five main cities: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath.
But soon disputes over possession of the land developed. Almost constant warfare resulted between the Philistines and the Israelites, particularly the tribes of Dan and Judah, who lived in the same territory. Skilled archers and charioteers, the Philistines often held the advantage in battle. Then, in the 10th century B.C., after the young shepherd David slew the Philistine giant Goliath, the Philistines' fortunes began to change. The Israelites were determined to be rid of their longtime enemy, and David succeeded in driving away the Philistine forever.
After that, the Philistines posed no real threat to their neighbors. Finally, in the sixth century B.C., the Philistines were conquered by the Babylonians and disappeared from the pages of history.
