In modern times, the term “philistine” has generally been used by cultured or elite groups to describe an ignorant or uncultured person.

The Philistines were, in fact, people from the Aegean region, perhaps Crete. They arrived on the shores of the south-eastern Mediterranean around 1200 BC, in an area later to be called Palestine.

A cultured people, they were specialists in iron-making, advanced weaponry, olive oil, beer and wine production and a distinctive style of pottery.

So how did they come to be associated with poor taste and ignorance?

In ancient times, Philistia or the Land of the Philistines, extended from the city-state of Ashdod in the north to that of Gaza in the south, but with no fixed border to the east. Within this area were the three other principal cities of the Philistines – Ascalon (Ashkelon), Gath and Ekron.

As the Philistines expanded eastwards, they came into contact and conflict with the Israelites, then inhabiting the highlands of southern Canaan and beginning to forge their identity as the people of Israel.

According to the Old Testament, the Israelites’ conflict with the Philistines ended in the 10th century BC, when King David attacked and defeated them. In reality, conflict between the Philistines and Israel continued until the beginning of the 6th century BC.

In around 600 BC, meanwhile, Babylonian........

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