The city of Askelon lies on the Mediterranean Coast of Palestine and is known in history from the latter part of the 4th millennium B.C.E. although its existence certainly goes back farther. Ashkelon possessed the multiple benefits of being a seaport city and having fertile soil and easy access to fresh water. In the ancient period Ashelon was renowned for the onions that grew there. The word "scallion" derives from the city name Ashkelon.
For centuries Ashkelon was either an enemy of Egypt or under Egyptian rule. In the 12th century B.C.E. the Sea Peoples, a group which included the Philistines, conquered the city and it became one of the five major Philistine cities (Josh. 13:3, 1 Sam. 6:17). The Philistine Pentapolis included Ashkelon, Gaza, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath. Ashkelon was allotted to the tribe of Judah but Judah was unable to drive out the Philistines completely since they possessed superior weapons (Judg. 1:18-19). To pay off his debt after the Philistine men of Timnah had discovered the answer to his riddle, Samson journeyed to Ashkelon, killed thirty men, and brought their clothing back (Judg. 14:19-20). When the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant and God sent plagues to punish them, Ashkelon was mentioned as one of the cities that returned the Ark along with a guilt offering (1 Sam. 6:17). Due to the antagonistic relationship between Philistia and Israel, some of the prophets referred to Askelon and the other Philistine cities as being places which God would judge and destroy (Jer. 25:20, 47:5,7; Amos 1:8; Zeph. 2:4,7; Zech. 9:5).
In the 8th century B.C.E. Ashkelon fell to the Assyrians. Ashkelon followed Israel and Judah in rebelling against the Assyrians but the rebellions were all put down. When Babylonia became the world power, Ashkelon fell under them after an unsuccessful attempt to be free.
Under the Persian Empire Ashkelon flourished as a seaport. The temples within the city became known throughout the world. Under the Greek Empire Ashkelon was ruled by the Ptolemies and later by the Seleucids. Though Jonathan, the high priest, attempted to take the coastal plain, Ashkelon gave gifts to get him to leave the city alone. Ashkelon remained a free Greek city under the Roman Empire. When tensions escalated between the Jews and the Romans in the early 60's C.E., a riot within the town caused the slaughtering of 2,500 of its Jewish inhabitants. The Jewish War against Rome did not affect Ashkelon. The city continued to thrive and became known for its wheat, onions, and wine which was exported to European destinations for use in celebrating the Eucharist. When the Muslims conquered Palestine, Ashkelon became a Muslim city although Jews and Christians continued to live there.
Photographs by Bob Dunston