The Philistines, whose name derived from “Peleset” were descended from the Sea People settled (or allowed to remain) in Palestine by Rameses III after their defeat in Egypt. By around 1140 BC, they had gained independence from Egypt and were expanding along the coast. They became the most powerful local enemy of the Hebrews. Their five cities - Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, Gath and Gaza - were each ruled by an independent prince, but they usually acted in consort and their council (the “sarney”) could designate an overall commander. They gradually adopted Canaanite chariot tactics, but continued to field effective infantry; while generals normally riding in chariots (such as Goliath of Gath) could sometimes dismount to fight on foot to inspire the troops. Goliath was a very big man whose challenge to personal combat had a depressing effect on opponents, until it transpired that his gigantism made him bad at dodging slingstones. Some of the Philistine cities survived the Assyrian conquest as vassal states and provided garrisons in Egypt for the Assyrians. References: Armies of the Ancient Near East N. Stillman & N. Tallis, Battles of the Bible C. Herzog & M. Gichon.
— Early Philistine Army 1166 BC - 1100 BC
I/20 — SYRO-CANAANITE OR UGARITIC 1595 BC - 1100 BC
I/22 — NEW-KINGDOM EGYPTIAN 1543 BC - 1069 BC
I/27 — EARLY HEBREW circa 1250 BC - 1000 BC
I/29 — PHILISTINE 1166 BC - 600 BC
I/6 — EARLY BEDOUIN 3000 BC - 312 BC
I/20 — SYRO-CANAANITE OR UGARITIC 1595 BC - 1100 BC
— Later Philistine Army 1099 BC - 600 BC
I/22 — NEW-KINGDOM EGYPTIAN 1543 BC - 1069 BC
I/27 — EARLY HEBREW circa 1250 BC - 1000 BC
I/29 — PHILISTINE 1166 BC - 600 BC
I/31 — NEO-HITTITE & LATER ARAMAEAN 1100 BC - 710 BC
I/34 — LATER HEBREW 1000 BC - 586 BC
I/35 — CYPRIOT & PHOENICIAN 1000 BC - 332 BC
I/38 — LIBYAN EGYPTIAN 946 BC - 712 BC
I/45 — NEO-ASSYRIAN EMPIRE 745 BC - 681 BC
I/46 — KUSHITE EGYPTIAN 745 BC - 593 BC
I/51 — LATER SARGONID ASSYRIAN 680 BC - 609 BC
I/53 — SAITIC EGYPTIAN 664 BC - 335 BC
I/6 — EARLY BEDOUIN 3000 BC - 312 BC
I/31 — NEO-HITTITE & LATER ARAMAEAN 1100 BC - 710 BC
I/35 — CYPRIOT & PHOENICIAN 1000 BC - 332 BC
I/38 — LIBYAN EGYPTIAN 946 BC - 712 BC
I/46 — KUSHITE EGYPTIAN 745 BC - 593 BC