Judaism
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The terms "Mesopotamia" and "Canaan" emerged primarily through the lens of Greek and Roman geographers and historians. Their classifications often reflected political realities and interactions with these regions rather than distinct ethnic or cultural boundaries. Additionally, the term "Canaan" gradually fell out of use due to later political changes and the emergence of distinct groups like Israelites and Phoenicians.Originally Posted by Abti
Over time, distinct cultural and political entities emerged within the broader Canaanite region. These included the Phoenicians along the coast, the Israelites further inland, and various other city-states like Byblos and Megiddo.
With the rise of these specific identities, the term "Canaan" gradually ceased to be used for individual groups. Phoenicians, Israelites, and others developed their own distinct names and cultural markers.
Calling the Eastern Mediterranean "Levant" reeks of colonial-era maps drawn from a European gaze. It ignores the region's rich tapestry of local names and overlooks the fertile land that truly shaped its diverse populations from ancient times. Let's ditch the eurocentrism and focus on what truly rooted communities there: The earth itself. The fertile crescent.
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And when you realise that -- whilst everything in there is true and historical -- it also acts as a larger and high level metaphor for life in general. Incredible wisdom.
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