|
Lecturer(s)
|
-
Dubovský Peter, prof. Th.D.
|
|
Course content
|
1. Syria and Palestine in the Bronze and Iron Ages An introduction to the historical and geographical context. Primary sources for the history of ancient Israel, the historical-critical method, basic approaches, and methods of interpretation. 2. The Late Bronze Age (ca. 1550-1200 BCE) Syria and Palestine within the Egyptian sphere of influence. Political and social conditions in the region. 3. The Origins of Israel The end of the Late Bronze Age and the beginning of the Early Iron Age. The process of the emergence of Israeli settlements and society; the question of Israel's origins and various interpretations of this process based on biblical and archaeological sources. 4. From Tribal Society to the Kingdom (12th-10th centuries BCE) The Period of the Judges, the emergence of the monarchy, and the United Kingdom. Saul, David, and Solomon. Biblical traditions and archaeological evidence. 5. The Divided Kingdom and the Iron Age II (9th-8th centuries BCE) The emergence and development of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The Omri and Nimshi dynasties. Political relations with neighboring states and societal changes. Archaeological evidence from the Iron Age II A-B. 6. The Neo-Assyrian Empire and Its Expansion (9th-7th Centuries BCE) The rise of the Neo-Assyrian Empire and its gradual advance into Syria and Palestine. Assyrian policy toward Israel and Judah, the fall of Samaria, and the demise of the Kingdom of Israel. Neo-Assyrian sources and their significance for understanding biblical history. 7. The Kingdom of Judah in the Neo-Assyrian Period Judah's position within the Neo-Assyrian Empire, the reign of King Hezekiah, and the Assyrian campaign against Judah. Biblical and extra-biblical sources on the events of the 8th-7th centuries BCE. 8. The Neo-Babylonian Period (626-539 BCE) The rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, its expansion, and the fall of Jerusalem. The demise of the Kingdom of Judah, the Babylonian Exile, and its historical context. 9. The Persian Period (539-330 BCE) The rise and development of the Achaemenid Empire. The return of part of the Judean population from exile, the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple, and changes in religious and social life. 10. The Bible as a Historical Source The possibilities and limitations of using biblical texts in the reconstruction of ancient history.
|
|
Learning activities and teaching methods
|
|
Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming)
|
|
Learning outcomes
|
The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the history of ancient Israel and the broader region of Syria and Palestine from the Late Bronze Age to approximately the Persian period, that is, from the 16th to the 4th century B.C. Attention is focused on the major political, social, and religious changes in this region and their connections to the history of neighboring powers, particularly Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, and the Persian Empire.
Students will be able to: - navigate the basic periods of ancient Israel's history - understand their broader historical context - critically analyze both biblical and non-biblical sources in reconstructing ancient history.
|
|
Prerequisites
|
Interest in the historical-critical method and a deeper study of the Bible and its historical context
|
|
Assessment methods and criteria
|
Student performance, Dialog
Participate in webinars and complete the assignments assigned in the LMS.
|
|
Recommended literature
|
-
Čapek, Filip. (2018). Archeologie, dějiny a utváření identity starověkého Izraele.. Praha.
-
Johnson, Paul. (2003). Dějiny civilizací Svaté země. Praha.
|