Margaret Hunter – Page 28 – Amazing Bible Timeline with World History

Posted on August 13, 2012September 15, 2015 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

Lycurgian Constitution and Legislation

The Lycurgian constitution and legislation was considered to be the prime legacy of the Spartan leader, Lycurgus. He is placed on the Bible Timeline Chart with World History during the eighth century BC. His laws had defined the powerful militaristic political state we now envision Sparta to be during those times. What made Lycurgian rule unique to all other Greek states was its insistence on not keeping historical records and issuing any form of written law. Each case that needed resolution was handled on a case to case basis. Lycurgus and his somewhat democratic form of law were instrumental to Sparta’s rise to power.

The Ruler

It is believed that Lycurgus lived and reigned sometime between 800 to 630 BC. What we know of Lycurgus today can largely be attributed to old historians like Plutarch and his peers considering that Lycurgus did away with any form of historical records. Plutarch is the main source for any semblance of historical study on Lycurgus. In a way, what Plutarch discusses is more of an anecdotal collection rather than a biography. Some believe that Lycurgus may not have actually existed and is symbolic for some ancient ruler who brought sweeping change to Sparta.

The Institution

Lycurgus started the change in the political and legislative landscape by distributing the king’s power unto an elder senate. At times, a general assembly of the people would be held wherein the public would decide the fate of a piece of legislation. However, the people could not make new laws but could only approve or reject what the Senate has made. This was one of the earliest forms of democracy. This is the basic backbone of the Lycurgian constitution and legislation. Of course, not every citizen, particularly those in the upper class, favored this new arrangement but Lycurgus, according to Plutarch, succeeded in quelling opposition to his rule.

Many of the approved pieces of legislation were somehow idiosyncratic even by today’s standards. One feature compelled citizens to eat in public mess halls, into small groups called “sysstia”. These groups was generally a mixture of citizens both rich and poor. When one member disliked what was being served, they could bring their own meal, provided that they also feed everyone else in the group. Under the constitution, all manner of trade using gold or silver was banned, and iron was the new currency. Any form of occupation deemed useless was also banned, which included prostitution. Adultery was also allowed if it was done in the pursuit of creating an ideal offspring. Having an ideal baby was such an important concept during the Lycurgian era that those infants deemed defective were reportedly cast out into a cliff. The examination of an infant, if he or she was fit to live, was done by the council.

After Lycurgus

Even after the reported disappearance of Lycurgus, believed to have sought out the Oracle of Delphi and never returned, Sparta continued following the constitutional structure he presented. It is believed that this very adherence to the form of governing was the reason for Sparta becoming a powerful militaristic state in the Greek region. Many surrounding states also favored Spartans to be dispute arbitrators given the structure they followed when it come to conflict resolution. The apparent success in this otherwise crude and primitive form of democracy had led many other states to consider adopting the principles of the Lycurgian constitution and legislation.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lycurgus.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_democracy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycurgus_(Sparta)

Posted on August 12, 2012March 29, 2016 by Margaret Hunter — 2 Comments

Homeric Poems and Philosophy

Out of all the Homeric Poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey remain to be the most well-discussed works of literature. He appears on the Bible Timeline with World History during the eighth century BC, which is during the times of the Kings of Israel. These works helped in establishing the epic genre in literature and had also been a topic of interest in the history of philosophy. To some extent, these works from Homer helped in giving shape to the age-old philosophies that sprung from Ancient Greece.

Gods

One of the most influential roles that Homer’s works had on Ancient Greece was its choice in how the gods were depicted an ultimately determined for all Greeks as to how their gods were envisioned. One unique feature that Homer’s gods had that was they possessed human like qualities and were very rational. They were not some overly mystified icons that could only be accessed and appeased through some magical means. These gods possessed powers over the overall human experience for the mortals and were also subjected to some form of hierarchy. Eventually, Homer and his works would become a moral and religious basis for Greek education. Naturally, many opposed the somewhat immoral nature that some gods portrayed in Homeric poems. Plato, in particular, wished to censor material that would be detrimental to the image of the gods.

Man

When compared to other philosophical theories that sprung after the Homeric period, the view of man in these Greek works showed a lot of disparities. In Homer’s view, man did not possess a unified soul. The human psyche, which was an integral part of the Pythagorean era held a minimal role in Homeric literature and had no real influence over the thoughts and actions of man.

While the psyche survived after death in Homeric literature, it was not given the complete personality that later philosophies preached. The different facets of the human personality were instead distributed to various entities. While the psyche was nothing more than a helpless entity, the thoughts and emotions went into the “phrenes” and the intuitive perception and understanding went to the”nuos”.

Action

Perhaps the most crucial aspect to be considered in the study of philosophy is the depiction of human action in Homeric poems. In the Iliad and the Odyssey, the human action was mainly influenced by the gods. The somewhat divine intervention of deities was attributed to otherwise inexplicable feats done by the mortal characters. However, the hand of the gods was not only limited to the extraordinary actions in these poems, almost every form of unremarkable action in these pieces of literature were somehow associated with the Olympian intervention. Everything from a successful hit in a battle, a sudden outburst of rage, an undesirable transaction and many other things could somehow be traced back to the gods.

Because of this feature in Homer’s works, many philosophers even in modern times remark that Homer was a firm believer in the absence of free will. Some even claim that Homer may have had very little grasp of the facets of a human personality. However, the other side of the spectrum claims that Homer was no philosopher. And that any moral responsibility and relations among humans as a whole were only partly affected by divine intervention and part of that action could still be blamed on human volition. Homeric poems provided a strong background for philosophical study during that era and examined the relations between gods and men in a different perspective.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iliad
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odyssey

Posted on August 11, 2012April 5, 2016 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

Egyptian Power 1000 to 750 BC, Decline

The End of an Empire
Despite the power that it amassed within its territories over the centuries, Egyptian power eventually fell to decline in between 1,000 to 600 BC which is where it appears on the Biblical Timeline with World History. Before that period, Ancient Egypt was considered a successful kingdom on its own, amassing great power with an empire that greatly reaches Nubia in the south and Palestine and Syria in the north. During 1, 500 BC, famous pharaohs such as the boy-king Tutankhamun and Ramesses II began their reign during this period. It was during the start of 1,000 BC that Egypt, one of the most enduring civilizations of the ancient world started slipping into the brink of a historical standstill. During this period, its neighbors Palestine and Nubia started cutting the country into pieces, conducting invasions across Egypt’s borders. Political weakness right at home also worsened the country’s condition even further.

The Rise of a the United Kingdom

But outside the borders of decaying Egypt, a new kingdom has begun to rise in the land of Israel. After the Israelites had settled in Canaan, or the Promised Land, over the past centuries, they eventually formed a kingdom by uniting all of the nomadic Twelve Tribes of Israel. During this time, Saul, whose name meant “asked for or prayed for” was chosen as the first king of the United Kingdom of Israel. Saul was the son of Kish of the Tribe of Benjamin and came to become Israel’s first king after the Prophet Samuel anointed him by God’s command. Saul became an effective leader, particularly in defending Israel from its enemies, except for the Philistines. But Saul eventually failed on his reign as king, particularly on following orders given to him by God, through his prophet Samuel. Due to his failures to follow God’s command, Saul was eventually rejected as King and Samuel were suddenly ordered to search for someone worthy of Israel’s kingship.

The Finding of David

Samuel’s search for Israel’s next king took him to the town of Bethlehem. There he would meet David, a young shepherd boy. David was the youngest son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the grandson of Ruth and Boaz and a member of the Tribe of Judah. When Jesse had presented his seven sons to Samuel, the prophet commented that God’s chosen was not amongst them. But he later discovered that Jesse’s youngest son, David, was not there with his brothers and was currently tending to his flock. Samuel immediately asked Jesse to search for him. When David was presented to Samuel, the prophet immediately declared that he had found the next king and anointed him.

David’s Rise and Saul’s Fall

According to the Book of Samuel, Saul was tormented by a malevolent spirit sent by God. During his fits, Saul would request soothing music, in which a servant would recommend that David, a renowned as a harpist, would play for him. Heeding to that advice, David was immediately brought to Saul’s court and was appointed as his armor-bearer and official harpist. But David’s popularity with the Israelites started when he defeated the Philistine champion Goliath with the use of a slingshot. It was in David’s victory that Saul’s decline as king started.

Biblical Reference

1 Book of Samuel

References:
http://www.timemaps.com/history/syria-1000bc
http://www.timemaps.com/history/ancient-egypt-1000bc/
http://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/david_the_shepherd3_the_warrior/
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/religion/jews/david.htm
http://www.theology.edu/lec15.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Egypt.Giza.Sphinx.01.jpg

Posted on August 10, 2012April 5, 2016 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

Shishak King Of Egypt

Shishak in the Bible

It was only after the tenth century that the name of the Pharaoh was included in the way Egyptian kings were called. With the new customary practice, the Bible followed suit as well. Shishak is known to be the first Egyptian king that was given a personal name in the Bible. His rule coincided with King Solomon and also of his son, Rehoboam, which is where he is found on the Bible Timeline. He is most known for his crusade all throughout Israel and Judah as stated in the Hebrew Bible. He was also the Egyptian king who granted Jeroboam refuge from Solomon’s wrath.

Shishak_King_Of_Egypt — The Bubastite Portal at Karnak, showing the cartouches of Sheshonk I. (Shishak )

The Bubastite Portal at Karnak, showing the cartouches of Sheshonk I. (Shishak )

Shishak’s Role

Shishak is mentioned in the book of 1 Kings about Solomon’s idolatry. Because of Solomon’s sins, God made it known through a prophet named Ahijah His plans to take away ten tribes from Solomon. The prophet also foretold that the ten tribes were then to be given to one of Solomon’s court officials named Jeroboam. Angered by this prophecy, Solomon plotted to kill Jeroboam. It is this time that Jeroboam left Solomon’s court and sought refuge in Egypt. Shishak allowed Jeroboam to stay in Egypt while Solomon was still king.

When Solomon died, Jeroboam went back to his home. With the kingdom divided into two, Jeroboam became king and ruled over the tribes in the northern part while Rehoboam became the leader of the Southern tribes. This was seen by Shishak as an opportune time to launch a campaign to capture the weakened and divided kingdoms. During the fifth year that Rehoboam was king, Shishak came with his great army of Egyptian troops and took over much of Israel. This event is dated to 926 and 917 BC. He was believed to have the support of the Sukkites, Kushites and the Libyans from Egypt. With thousands of chariots and horsemen, he was able to seize the cities of Judah and even reached Jerusalem. As stated in the Bible, Shishak was said to have taken away many of the treasures of the holy temple and those from the royal palace including the gold shields made by Solomon. This was in exchange for sparing Jerusalem from his attacks.

The Lord’s plan

Once Rehoboam had inherited his Kingdom, he stayed in Jerusalem and fortified towns for defense all around Judea. When he gained control over the Kingdom, he, along with everyone else in Judah no longer obeyed the Lord. As punishment, the Lord allowed Shishak to enter and attack the Kingdom. He was able to capture all the cities in Judah and was soon heading to Jerusalem. Rehoboam and the other leaders of the city were told by the prophet, Shemaiah that because of their disobedience, the Lord has also abandoned them. They then felt that indeed the Lord was right, and they all became repentant for their sins. As the leaders of Judah returned to the Lord, Jerusalem was spared from Shishak’s attacks. Nonetheless, the Lord was still angered by their sins that he allowed Shishak to rule over the people. For them to feel how it is to serve a foreign king and not their God (2 Chronicles). However, as Rehoboam returned to the Lord, Judah was not completely destroyed and eventually became prosperous once more.

Bible References:

1 Kings 11:40- Shishak was first introduced in the bible when he granted Jeroboam refuge in Israel
1 Kings 14:25-26- Shishak attacks Rehoboam’s kingdom in Judea and taking away treasures
2 Chronicles 12:3-4- Shishak’s attack in Jerusalem as the Lord’s punishment

References:
http://www.bible-history.com/archaeology/egypt/shishak-smiting-prisoners.html
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-abr/abr-a017.html
http://www.northforest.org/BiblicalArchaeology/shishak.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shishak

Posted on August 9, 2012April 5, 2016 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

Shalmanezer III

Shalmanezer III was one of the great kings of Assyria. He became a king after his father, Ashurnasirpal II, died. The name Shalmaneser means “the God Shulmanu is pre-eminent”. He ruled Assyria during 859 BC – 824 BC which is where he appears on the Old Testament Timeline along with the Biblical Kings of Judah and Israel. Shalmanezer stood as the King of Assyria for a very long time and it was said to be a constant series of campaigns against the Babylonians, Mesopotamians, Syrians, the nations of Urartu and Kizzuwadna. He was able to lead his army through the Lake Van, Taurus Mountains, the Hittites of Carchemish, and the Kingdoms of Aram, Damascus and Hamath.

The Battle of Qarqar

On 853 BC King Shalmaneser III led the army of Assyria to battle against the allied army of the twelve kings at Qarqar in northwestern Syria. This allied force of the twelve kings was headed by Hadadezer (also known as Benhadad II) of Damascus and the King of Israel, Ahad. This battle was fought during 854 BC – 846 BC and is known as Assyrian Conquest of Syria. King Shalmaneser III conquered Syria and most of Palestine, but he was forced to withdraw his Armies because of having suffered heavy casualties. Ultimately, the invasion that he spearheaded was a failure. Today, located in the British Museum, there is an Assyrian monument that tells how the Battle of Qarqar ends. The monument is called: The Kurkh Monolith.

The Black Obelisk of Shalmanezer III

The Black Obelisk is an important artifact from Shalmanezer’s reign because it describes Shalmanezer’s military achievements. Henry Layard, an archeologist, found the black obelisk when he was excavating the site of Kalhu (an ancient Assyrian capital) in 1846. During the civil war, it was erected as a public monument. The black obelisk records thirty-one years of campaigns. Shalmanezer III, just like other Assyrian kings, collected exotic animals and plant to express his power. He had animals like rhinoceros, elephants, monkeys and camels. In 841 BC, King Shalmanezer III received a great tribute from many kings that symbolized submissiveness. The first to pay tribute to him were the kings of Israel and Judah, followed by the kings of Tyre, Sidon, and Jehu. He had also left more royal inscriptions and annals than any other Assyrian Kings.

The Black Obelisk expressed what the Jehu King of Israel had offered to Shalmanezer III in 841 BC. He also carved his image and name into a huge cliff just beside the so-called Dog River in 835 BC. Shalmanezer III had numerous buildings. His capital was Nimrud (ancient Kalhu) where he built gigantic walls, temples, and gates like the great Ziggurat and Fort Shalmaneser. He gave his forces to his commander-in-chief, Dayyan-Ashur because of old age. Within six years, his son, Ashur-danin-pal revolted against him.

Eventually, he had another son who rose to power and defeated his brother. Shortly after Shalmaneser III died of old age, his son took over as King Shamshi-Adad V. The reign of Shalmaneser III is significant to the Bible because of the Biblical figures that are on two of his monuments. About the Battle of Qarqar, the names Jehu son of Omri on the Black Obelisk and King Ahab on Kurk Monolith are in the bible under 1 Kings and 2 Kings of the old testament.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shalmanezer_III
http://www.bible-history.com/black-obelisk/shalmanezer-assyria.html
http://www.drshirley.org/hist/hist05.html
http://www.bible-history.com/black-obelisk/king-jehu-israel.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:King_Shalmaneser_III_Istanbul_Museum.JPG

Posted on August 8, 2012March 28, 2016 by Margaret Hunter — 2 Comments

Asa King of Judah Defeats Ethiopians

King Abijam of Judah was the father of King Asa who ruled from Jerusalem around 900 B.C which is where this event appears on the Biblical Timeline Chart. King Asa was the fifth ruler that was descended from the line of David. King Asa ruled Judah for 41 years and he made it a point to honor God by obeying his commandments. Asa’s name means “healer” or “doctor” and this name reflects Asa’s character and how he corrected a lot of the wrong things in Judah that offended God. King Asa made it a point to remove the pagan shrines that had become a part of their culture that was introduced from King Jeroboam of Israel.

King Asa constantly fought against King Bashaa of Israel during his reign, but he also fought against other enemies such as King Zerah from Ethiopia. The Ethiopians had been interacting with the kingdom of Judah since the time that King Solomon had reigned. Historians claim that King Zerah was taking a large army north of Israel to battle against the Assyrians. King Zerah had probably been conquering and subjecting lands all around him because of the large army that he had commanded. 2 Chronicles 14:9 states that Zerah had marched his million man army into a Judean town known as Mareshah. King Asa found out about King Zerah’s force in Mareshah and took his forces to the town to do battle.

King Asa only had a 300,000 man army and was seriously outnumbered by the powerful Ethiopian force. Asa realized that the only way that he could defeat Zerah was by relying on God. In 2 Chronicles 14:11 Asa prays to God and the Lord answers his request because the Judean king was faithful to him. The forces of Judah moved out against the Ethiopians and God caused them to win. The Ethiopians were being beaten so bad that they had to retreat and when they did the forces of Judah pursued them a great distance to a foreign territory called Gerar. Once the people of Gerar heard about the defeat of the mighty Ethiopian army they feared God and the people of Judah.

After the Ethiopians were defeated King Asa’s men took their abandoned possessions that they had left behind. His forces raided far into Ethiopian territory and took their livestock, cattle and camels. King Asa’s forces had won a great victory because God allowed them to win.

Biblical References

1 Chronicles 15: 11 King Asa made it a point to obey God.
1 Chronicles 15: 12, 13 he removed most of the pagan shrine and got rid of the pagan priests.
1 Chronicles 15: 16 King Asa always at war with King Bashaa of Israel.
2 Chronicles 14: 1,6 God gives Judah ten years of peace because Asa obeyed him.
2 Chronicles 14:9 King Asa and King Zerah prepare for battle in the town of Mareshah.
2 Chronicles 14: 11 King Asa prays for God’s help against King Zerah.
2 Chronicles 14: 12, 13 God gives King Asa’s forces the victory of the Ethiopians.
2 Chronicles 14: 13-15 King Asa’s forces chase the Ethiopians all the way back to their homelands and take their possessions, livestock and camels.

References:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2014&version=CEV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles+14&version=CEV
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asa_of_Judah

Posted on August 7, 2012September 16, 2016 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

Olympiad 776 BC, First

The Olympic Games is perhaps the most well-known global sports event that includes the largest number of participating nations for any sort of worldwide activity. This gargantuan event that hosts a large variety of different sports and activities can trace back its roots to the first Olympiad 776 BC which is where it appears on the Bible Timeline Poster with World History. This is during the time of the reign of the Divided Kingdoms of Israel and Judah.Judah.

Olympics, first_776_BC — Olympic competitor

Greek Origins

According to any historical records dating back to hundreds of years, the Olympic Games was first held in 776 BC to commemorate Zeus and the other gods of Mount Olympus. Another purpose these games had was to help in solving ongoing conflicts between various city states. It was believed that the Ancient Greeks held the event to be so sacred that no armed man was allowed to set foot on the event grounds. And that all city states entered a temporary truce in the months before and after the Olympics. The event was held every four years during the midsummer full moon. This particular date was chosen so that the sporting events could be held even as night fell.

The years that came in between the Olympic Games were called Olympiads. An Olympiad was named according to the athletes that were victorious in the previous gamed. The first ever Olympiad was named after Coribus of Elis for winning a foot race. Olympiads are often an important chronological marker for historians since any major event during the ancient world was often associated with a specific Olympiad period. Based on this, the first ancient Olympiad was the years 776 to 772 BC. Currently, we count our Olympiads according to the first modern count marked during the 1896 Olympics.

Eligibility for the Games

In the Ancient world, only male Greeks were allowed to compete. Those accused of heinous crimes and sacrilege were prohibited from entering. Honorable play and competition were pivotal during the ancient Olympics, and all competing athletes were to move to Elis or Olympia a month before the official games began. The audience also followed similar rules in eligibility. No one accused of crimes and sacrilege was allowed to watch the games. Furthermore, women were not allowed to watch games involving nude men, and such a privilege was only allowed to the Demeter priestess.

The Evolution of the Games

During the games before the first Olympiad 776 BC, a simple foot race was the only real mark of this unifying event. But as years went on, the Olympic events evolved to incorporate more competitive activities. Generally, the Ancient Olympic Games were divided between physical stadium events, where the participants would compete in the nude, and racing events. The Olympics was normally done in a five-day period.

The first day involved making sacrifices to Zeus and the participants and trainers making a solemn oath to the gods. The second day was marked with chariot races in the early morning and followed by the pentathlon in the stadium. The third day was considered the most solemn day of sacrifice where several bulls were slaughtered at the altar of Zeus. The fourth day involved physical contests in the stadium as well as foot races. This was the last day involving athletic events. The fifth day was the victory banquet when the winners received their awards and a final procession to the altar of Zeus was held. The night would then be filled with feasts and overall revelry.

Though much has changed since the first Olympiad 776 BC, what remains of the Olympic Games is that it still somehow brings together a large host of otherwise bickering nations. Though it is so much larger now than just a few warring Greek city-states, the Olympic Games continue to live on as the prime global sporting event.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Discobolus_Lancelotti_Massimo.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympiad http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeus#In_modern_culture

Posted on August 7, 2012July 15, 2016 by Margaret Hunter — 1 Comment

Carthage of Phoenicia 814 BC, Founding of

The Phoenicians founded a prosperous city in the northern coasts Africa named Carthage around 813-814 BC which is where it appears on the Bible Timeline Chart with World History. This was during the time of the Kings of a divided Israel and shortly before the first Olympiad.

Carthage,_Ancient_City_of_Phoenicia.jpg — map of Carthage’s location

Carthage was one of the wealthiest areas of the Ancient world and found prosperity in its vast trading network which had a far-reaching domain across northern Africa. Carthage of Phoenicia founded 814 BC is now the area that spans modern day Spain into the Mediterranean. Because of the Phoenician empire spreading further into the European regions, many conflicts between Phoenicia, Rome and Greece was evident during this period in history.

Founding

While in the past, several historians debated the exact time of the founding of Carthage, carbon dating done on artifacts place the time of founding at around the Ninth century BC. It was said that the empire lasted for around 650 years since the founding of Carthage. The Roman Empire was especially persistent in bringing down the Phoenician city at around 150 BC. The original city was eventually obliterated around that time but was then rebuilt not long after. It would be another century before Carthage fell into ruin. Because of this, very few artifacts and remains can be excavated which date back to the original Carthage. To date, the ruins of harbors, as well as tombs and burial grounds, can still be visible even from the air.

The Legend

The legend of the founding of Carthage begins with Elissa, daughter of the king of Tyre. She was to be given in marriage to the king’s brother, Sichaeus, who was a priest of Melqart. Elissa was to be handed over to her uncle along with the kingdom. Pygmalion, Elissa’s brother, had thought that the kingdom would go to him and plotted to assassinate his uncle and brother-in-law, Sichaeus. He was killed and came back as a ghost to warn Elissa about her brother. Elissa then took her royal wealth and followers and fled the kingdom.

Elissa and her followers, which are interpreted by most as colonists sent by the king of Tyre, stopped at the northern coast of Africa. Elissa negotiated with the locals for rest within the area and was then told that they could have the surrounding area that could only be covered by an Oxhide. It is this part of the legend that depicts the cleverness and tricky nature of the Phoenicians as Elissa had the hide cut into strips and laid in a crescent shape across the land. The area covered by the hide strips would eventually be Carthage. The coast across Sicily was now the new home of Elissa and her followers which prospered due to the mercantile skills attributed to the citizens of Tyre.

Carthage in History and Literature

Phoenicians were generally considered to be ruthlessly treacherous by the Greeks and Romans. Even in the Homeric works, Phoenicians were referred to as polypaipaloi or “having numerous tricks”. However, Cicero points out that no empire could be held for more than 6 centuries without skilled rule and leadership.

The war between Rome and Carthage during the mid 2nd century BC was called the Third Punic War and the Battle of Carthage was what led to the downfall of the city during 147 BC. This is often referred to as the salting of Carthage. Undeniably, Carthage of Phoenicia founded 814 BC is one of the most important imperial civilizations during the last millennia BC, maintaining a stable rule that lasted for 600 years.

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CarthageMap.png
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Punic-era_Tunisia:_chronology#Founding_of_Carthage

Posted on July 22, 2012October 4, 2017 by Margaret Hunter — 2 Comments

Hazael of Syria, King

Hazael, whose name means “Whom God Sees”, was a high court official who later became a king. God instructed the prophet Elijah to anoint Hazael as ruler of Syria. It was under his dominion that Aram-Damascus became a mighty empire that took control over large parts of Syria and Palestine. He appears on the Biblical timeline poster during the time of Elisha the prophet between 800 and 700 BC

When Hazael was still an official, he was asked by his master, King Hadadezer also by the name of Benhadad, to see Elisha (Elijah’s successor). Hazael was to look for a remedy of Leprosy in which the king had. In their conversation, Elisha cried while explaining to Hazael that he was to be the perpetrator of the brutality to the Israelites. Hazael objected to the very thought of it but was rest assured that it was all part of God’s plan.

The official went back to King Hadadezer and expressed Elisha’s message that the king would recover from his sickness but would die in a different way.

The next day, Hazael returned to the king. He got a coverlet, dipped it in water and laid it out on the king’s face. As prophesized, Hazael earned ultimately the throne due to the king’s death.

Hazael as an Appointee of the Lord

The nations of Israel and Judah had become unfaithful to the Lord. This caused the wrath of God.
With this, Syrian King Hazael became the Lord’s instrument to discipline these treacherous nations.

In his reign of 37 years, he led the Arameans into battles against the troops of King Jehoram of Israel and King Ahaziah of Judah. This was to gain ownership of the City of Ramoth-Gilead.

He revolted against Assyrians’ attacks. The king held in custody the territory of the Israelites east of Jordan also known as the Eastern Tribal Lands. He also conquered Philistine, which was located in Gath City.

The King of Syria wanting to take over Jerusalem threatened the people of Judah. This, however, was prevented as Judah’s King, Joash, bribed King Hazael with gold and treasures from the temple and royal palace. In effect, the forces of King Hazael were withdrawn from Jerusalem.

Through recent excavations at Tell es-Safi/Gath, evidence of the siege and successive conquest of the said place by the Syrian king were revealed.

It could also be that due to the king’s leadership that the settlement at Tell Zeitah in the ninth century was led into destruction.

The king erected at Tel Dan a monumental Aramaic inscription.

Hazael’s decorated bronze plaques from chariot horse-harness were found at two Greek sites as re-gifted votive objects. These were identified as belongings of Hazael by their inscriptions.

The Syrian Kingdom was at its peak of power. King Hazael’s reign (842 B.C.-805 B.C.)proved to be long and victorious. This was a noteworthy achievement considering that in the early days, elections were done in the form assassinations.

King Hazael died in about the year B.C. 840 and was succeeded by Benhadad, his son. Ironically, Hazael named his son after the king in which he killed.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazael
http://www.keyway.ca/htm2006/20060910.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:King_Hazael_light.jpeg

Posted on July 21, 2012March 29, 2016 by Margaret Hunter — Leave a comment

Ben Hadad of Syria, King

Genealogy and Bible references

King Ben-Hadad simply means ‘the son of Hadad’. He lived during the rule of King Ahab of Israel on the Bible timeline poster. He is the heir of Tabrimmon, who came to be known as “king of Syria that dwelt at Damascus and the son of Hezion.” Hezion, who is also determined to be Rezion, was the founder of Damascus, who also instilled Syria with a culture of aggression.

King Hadad as King

During the rule of Ben-Hadad, Syria was the most dominant region in the Western part of Asia. He seized every opportunity to conquer lands and increase his control over other properties and people. He had an alliance with 32 other kings.

Wars against Israel

King Ben-Hadad coveted King Ahab’s wives, children, silver, gold and possessions which prompted King Ahab to give in to his demands. However, Ben Hadad sent his messengers, still, to announce to King Ahab that he would send his servants to survey his kingdom and seek for the things of value that pleased them. Israel‘s king listened to the elders advice that King Ben-Hadad should not be allowed to do the things he wanted to do with their city. This resulted in a war between these two kingdoms after they had an oral argument. King Ben-Hadad asked his messengers to tell King Ahab that there would not be enough room in the dust where his soldiers would stand when they go into the city. King Ahab was understandably enraged and sent a reply through his messengers to tell the other king that a soldier should not brag of his victories until after the war. Two succeeding wars between the two kingdoms gave King Ahab victory, which forced King Ben-Hadad to free Israel and to restore its cities. Not only that, King Ben-Hadad allowed markets to be set up in Damascus, similar to those in Samaria. He made a treaty with the ruler of Israel with a plan of waging a future war with Israel in three years.

Victories of Israel

God told the king through his messengers that King Ahab should start the war against the forces of King Ben-Hadad. His army composed of 7000 Israelites headed towards King Ben Hadad’s forces. Later on, the Israelites were able to overpower their enemies, forcing them to flee, including their king. A prophet came to Ahab shortly after their victory to foretell that the Syrians would attack next spring. As it was prophesized, the ruler of Syria led his army, fought the Israelites on the plains and lost. The Aramean foot soldiers were wounded by hundreds of thousands by the Israelites in a day. Some on them escaped to Aphek where 27,000 of them collapsed by a wall. King Ben-Hadad went to hide in his inner room after fleeing from the city. God gave the victory to the Israelites to show that their God is not only the god of hills and mountains but also the god of all the lands, contrary to what King Ben Hadad was told.

Bible References to King Ben-Hadad:

1Kings Chapter 20: 1 to 34: Ben- Hadad Attacks Samaria

References:
http://www.ccg.org/english/c/cb143.html
http://kingjbible.com/1_kings/20.htm
http://www.topverses.com/Bible/1%20Kings/20
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+20&version=NIV
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Damsacus_infobox2.jpg