Image Details

Ilan Sztulman

The photo gives a glimpse of the wealth enjoyed by ancient Ekron in the seventh century B.C.E. Two hoards uncovered by the excavators contained 19 silver ingots and 66 pieces of silver. The use of silver as currency helped to broaden international trade and also allowed Assyria to collect taxes more easily from the far reaches of its empire. Ekron’s wealth would do it little good, however, against the might of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who would destroy the city in 604 B.C.E. and who would soon do the same to Jerusalem. Unlike the people of Judah, however, the Philistines would eventually disappear from history.