Palaestina Prima (1 gen 395 anni – 1 gen 636 anni)

Descrizione:

Palaestina Prima was a Byzantine province established in the late 4th century, lasting until the Muslim conquest of the Levant in the 630s. It included the central parts of Palestine, encompassing the coastal plain, Judea, and Samaria, with Caesarea Maritima as its capital. This province was part of a reorganization aimed at improving administrative efficiency and reducing the power of provincial governors, thereby grouping it within the Dioceses Orientis.

The region saw a mix of religious and ethnic communities, including Greek-speaking Byzantine Christians, Samaritans, and later, a significant number of Christian Ghassanid and Nabataean Arabs in the neighboring provinces of Palaestina Secunda and Tertia. The Samaritan community, which enjoyed some autonomy until the 4th and 5th centuries, faced near extinction following a series of revolts suppressed by Byzantine forces.

The 7th century was tumultuous for Palaestina Prima, starting with the Persian conquest in 614, during which Jerusalem was captured and its Christian population massacred. The Persians and allied Jewish forces initially took control, but the city was returned to Christian hands in 617. Byzantine Emperor Heraclius eventually recaptured the province and Jerusalem by 629, returning the True Cross to the city. However, his initially promised pardon for the Jews was revoked, leading to mass expulsions and killings.

The province's final loss came in 636 during the Muslim conquest, marking the end of Byzantine rule in the region. This period saw the population of Palestine peak, driven by the flourishing of Christianity and the growth of monastic and scholarly communities. However, religious diversity persisted with significant communities of Samaritans and Jews until their decline due to warfare, emigration, and conversion.

Economically, Palaestina Prima was known for its vineyards and as a significant wine producer, with cities like Ascalon and Gaza serving as important commercial hubs exporting wine across the empire. The landscape was dotted with monastic settlements which may have contributed to the region's agricultural output.

Aggiunto al nastro di tempo:

Data: