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Gaza: A City of Many Battles (from the Family of Noah to the Present Day) cover

Gaza: A City of Many Battles (from the Family of Noah to the Present Day)

Chapter 14: FOOTNOTE:
By Theodore Edward Dowling
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About This Book

The book traces the city's long past from archaeological and biblical associations through Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Crusader, and modern phases. It blends first‑hand travel observations, excavation finds, and documentary sources to describe ruins, ancient ports, and historical episodes while noting local customs and social life. The narrative records contemporary missionary activity and education, comments on governance, and examines place‑names and traditions. Structured as a series of chapters combining topography, historical summary, and on‑site reportage, it offers a synthesized account of the urban landscape and layered cultural heritage for readers interested in regional history and antiquities.

CHAPTER III
FRANKINCENSE (ARABIAN) AND GAZA

In early times the Beduins of the desert were glad of a market in Gaza for their spices and frankincense. In fact, according to Dr. Meyer (from whom I freely quote), the foundation of Gaza is most probably associated with the Minæans in their development of the frankincense trade. Extensive remains have been found in Central and Southern Arabia, which have been ascribed to these Minæans. Mr. Edward Glaser maintains that this people existed from about the seventeenth century b.c., and that the Sabæans followed them in the occupancy of those regions. If this be allowed, it seems to follow that Gaza was founded, or at least augmented, by this early Arabian people.

The wealth of the Minæan kingdom was derived chiefly from the transportation of frankincense and other spices from the East, and from Southern Arabia, which the caravans carried through the desert to Gaza.[15]

In 674 b.c. Esar-haddon, son of Sennacherib, undertook a campaign against the Arabian tribes, put an end to the Minæan kingdom, and secured control of the spice-trade route.

During the Persian period (539-332 b.c.) Gaza was the chief centre of the frankincense trade.

According to Dr. Birdwood in his article on "The Perfumes of the Bible," Bible Educator, vol. i, p. 378, "it is very surprising that so great a weight of evidence in favour of frankincense being produced in Arabia and Africa should ever have been set aside for the idle fancy that India was the source of the olibanum (ὁ λίβανος) commerce."

FOOTNOTE:

[15] See Isaiah lx. 6, and Jeremiah vi. 20.