The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind The Hebrew Neighborhood: The Concert of Powers, Phoenicians, and Canaan
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Oct 1, 2024 Discover how the Jews conquered Canaan despite being a small group in the dynamic landscape of the Iron Age. Explore the Concert of Powers and the contributions of empires like Egypt and Assyria to the region. Learn about the unique covenant between God and humanity that outshines other ancient agreements. Delve into the Phoenicians' invention of the alphabet and their rise as a trading powerhouse. Unpack the intertwining legacies of Israelites and Phoenicians, highlighting their cultural impacts and literacy challenges.
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Concert of Powers Explained
- The Concert of Powers was a group of dominant empires maintaining contact through letters and ambassadors.
- These empires controlled the Near East but left weaker Canaanite hill cities relatively independent.
Terrain Shaped Conquests
- Egyptians relied on war chariots suitable for flat terrain, neglecting hilly Canaan regions.
- The Hebrews, on foot, could conquer these hills without major power interference.
Akhenaten’s Religious Revolution
- Pharaoh Akhenaten shifted Egypt to monotheistic sun worship, but it was a natural force, not a covenantal god.
- This religious upheaval weakened Egypt’s control over Syria and Canaan, aiding Hebrew escape.