Sometimes, we catch glimpses of other cultures, other conflicts, in the periphery of the Israelite story. They aren't always pretty tales of peace and harmony, that's for sure.
Take Latinus, for example. He tasted victory, but not for long. According to Legends of the Jews, a sweeping compilation of rabbinic tradition by Louis Ginzberg, Latinus’s triumph was short-lived. His successor, Hannibal – yes, that Hannibal, the one who famously crossed the Alps with elephants centuries later – embarked on a series of wars against the Kittim. Now, Kittim is a term that can refer to various Mediterranean peoples, often associated with Cyprus or Italy.
Imagine this: eighteen years of constant warfare at sea, with Hannibal allegedly slaughtering eighty thousand Kittim, including their princes and nobles. It paints a grim picture, doesn’t it? Ultimately, Hannibal returned to Africa, where he ruled his own people in relative peace – a stark contrast to the carnage he left behind.
But the Kittim weren't the only ones facing hardship. The Edomites, those descendants of Esau who were often rivals of the Israelites, also had their share of troubles. During the reign of Hadad, who succeeded Baal Hamon (yes, that Baal, often associated with pagan worship – a reminder that these stories touch on complex religious landscapes), the Edomites found themselves in a difficult position.
Hadad initially tried to reassert Edomite dominance over the Moabites, but a new Moabite king, supported by the Ammonites, proved too strong. Hadad's forces were overwhelmed, leading to further conflicts.
Then came Abimenos of Kittim – remember them? They decided to pick a fight with Edom. Abimenos invaded Seir, the mountainous region inhabited by the Edomites, with a massive army. The sons of Seir were utterly defeated, and King Hadad was captured and executed. Can you imagine the fear and chaos of that time?
Seir then became a province, a vassal state, under the control of the Kittim, ruled by a governor appointed by Abimenos. So, both the Kittim and the Edomites experienced periods of both aggression and subjugation, their fates intertwined in a web of ancient warfare and political maneuvering. These stories remind us that the ancient world was a complex place, filled with shifting alliances, brutal conflicts, and the constant struggle for power. They offer a glimpse beyond the familiar narratives, into the lives and struggles of peoples who shaped the world we know today.