Overview

Almost every book in the Hebrew Bible mentions horses and chariots in some manner, usually in a military context. However, the importance of horses, chariots, and equestrians in ancient Israel is typically mentioned only in passing, if at all, by historians, hippologists, and biblical scholars. When it is mentioned, the topic engenders a great deal of confusion. Notwithstanding the substantial textual and archaeological evidence of the horse’s historic presence, recent scholars seem to be led by a general belief that there were very few horses in Iron Age Israel and that Israel’s chariotry was insignificant. The reason for this current sentiment is tied primarily to the academic controversy of the past 50 years over whether the 17 tripartite-pillared buildings excavated at Megiddo in the early 20th century were, in fact, stables. Although the original excavators, archaeologists from the University of Chicago, designated these buildings as stables, a number of scholars (and a few archaeologists) later challenged this view and adopted alternative interpretations. After they “reassessed” the Megiddo stables as “storehouses,” “marketplaces,” or “barracks,” the idea developed that there was no place for the horses to be kept and, therefore, there must have been few horses in Israel. The lack of stables, when added to the suggestion that Iron Age Israel could not have afforded to buy expensive horses and maintain an even more expensive chariotry, led to a dearth of horses in ancient Israel; or so the logic goes that has permeated the literature. Cantrell’s book attempts to dispel this notion. Too often today, scholars ignore or diminish the role of the horse in battle. It is important to remember that ancient historians took for granted knowledge about horses that modern scholars have now forgotten or never knew. Cantrell’s involvement with horses as a rider, competitor, trainer, breeder, and importer includes equine experience ranging from competitive barrel-racing to jumping, and for the past 25 years, dressage. The Horsemen of Israel relies on the author’s knowledge of and experience with horses as well as her expertise in the field of ancient Near Eastern languages, literature, and archaeology.

Full Product Details

Author:   Deborah O’Daniel Cantrell
Publisher:   Pennsylvania State University Press
Imprint:   Eisenbrauns
Volume:   1
Dimensions:   Width: 17.80cm , Height: 1.80cm , Length: 25.40cm
Weight:   0.522kg
ISBN:  

9781575062044

ISBN 10:   1575062046
Pages:   162
Publication Date:   30 June 2011
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Out of stock  
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Table of Contents

Abbreviations Introduction Background Modern Horsemanship Ancient Scholarship Current Scholarship Historical Setting Biblical Text Chronology Matters Horse-Related Architecture Contents The Nature of the War-Horse The Sights of Battle The Noise of Battle The Smells of Battle The Sex of the War-Horse The Horse in Battle The Limitations of the Horse in Battle Killing a Horse in Battle Horses in Iron Age Israel and Judah Kurkh Monolith Tel Dan Stele Hebrew Bible Texts Captured Horses Horse Trading Horse Prices Horse Breeding Size and Breed of Horses Economic and Practical Considerations Religious Concerns Chariotry in Iron Age Israel Origin of Monarchic Chariotry Suitability for Chariotry Topography Short Distances Chariot Cost, Manufacture, and Repair Chariots in Battle Architectural Advances for the Israelite Chariotry Six-Chambered Gates Chambered Gate Dimensions Stables of Israel: The Case of Megiddo Stabled Horses Feeding Troughs Feeding Regimens Water Systems Tethering Holes Stall Floors Removal of Horses from Stalls Presence of “Only” One Exit from the Stable Stabling of Stallions Lack of Horse Paraphernalia at Megiddo Lack of Horse Bones at Megiddo Lack of Horse Teeth at Megiddo Ventilation Training Considerations Jezreel Military Headquarters and Cavalry Depot Summary Warfare in Iron Age Israel Aramean Invasions Assyrian Invasions Egyptian Invasions Invasion of Moab (2 Kings 3) From Chariotry to Mounted Combat Conclusion Indexes

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