ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base
History of Israel
History of Israel
Prehistory and Ancient Periods
The first traces of settlements in the region date back to the Middle Paleolithic era, which is also home to the oldest agricultural and urban civilizations known (Neolitico, 8000-6000 BC). The arrival of Semitic peoples begins in the III millennium BC. The Jews, subjected by the Canaanites, arrived in the middle of the 2nd millennium BC, in a period characterized by a regime of accentuated aridity, which prompted many populations to seek new territories to live.
Ancient Kingdoms and States
A series of kingdoms and Jewish states had been living in the region for over a millennium since the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. Notable among these were:
* The Kingdom of Israel, destroyed in 722 BC by the Assyrian invasion
* The Kingdom of Judah, destroyed in 586 BC by the Babylonians, but rebuilt in 530 BC and placed under different protectorates, including the Persians and Romans
Jewish Revolt and Roman Rule
The failure of the great Jewish revolt against the Romans led to a period of subjugation, which lasted until the Roman Empire scattered the Jews around the Mediterranean basin.
Modern Period
The modern state of Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948. This marked the culmination of efforts by the Zionist movement, which had been working since the 19th century to recreate a new state for the Jewish people. The geographical size of modern Israel is relatively small, comparable to that of Wales or half of Costa Rica.
Geographical and Historical Context
The territory of modern Israel includes areas once inhabited by ancient civilizations such as the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Hebrew and other languages have been spoken in the region for thousands of years, with significant cultural and historical contributions from various empires and peoples.
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