subject: The Palestine Cities And Villages Of Old [print this page] All through Palestine used to be small villages upon the hilltops and in the valleys, lived in by farmers and shepherds. Many of the same crops that grow in the United States were raised there as well, but their ploughs and other farming implements would seem very strange to us. Horses or cattle often treaded out the grain. There were no fences between their fields, and during the harvest the poor people were allowed to follow the reapers and pick up whatever was left behind. Their homes were low, ordinary-looking buildings of brick or rough stones and mud, with dwq windows, and only 2 rooms, one for the family and one for the cattle. When they had a fire it was built in the middle of the room, and the smoke found its way out as it could through a hole in the roof.
In the cities could be found carpenters, shoemakers, tailors, smiths, potters and other working people; and even those who were not obliged to work were generally taught some trade. Traffic between various places in the East was carried on by means of caravans, long processions of camels, mules and donkeys laden with all sorts of goods. As one of the main roads from Damascus to the Mediterranean passed near the Sea of Galilee, this brought much trade to those regions.
Usually, people customarily traveled on foot or on donkeys and depended on the people of the country to entertain them. Eastern people were very warm and made it a rule to welcome all strangers. They had many lovely customs in how they treated guests. On some roads could be found inns or caravansaries where travelers could sleep, but anyone who needed shelder could do come in without cost.
The cities had walls about them, with high watchtowers and strong gateways. The gates were shut at night but stood open during the day and the citizens met there to talk, lounge and trade. The streets were narrowly built, with few sidewalks. The houses often jutted out overhead so as almost to touch. The houses were low with flat rooks and stairs leading up to the roof from the outside. Sometimes a foot-passage led from one roof to another. The large houses were built around a courtyard, in which were fountains and trees. The people lived chiefly in the open air, so that the roof was as important a part of the house as our parlors are. Families sat there, received their friends there, ate and slept there. What we would miss most in their homes would be chairs, since they all sat cross-legged on the floor or on couches. When it was cold, the room was warmed by a little charcoal burning in a pan or on a low stand. Rich people had candles to burn, but the poor must have gone to bed when darkness fell.
Both men and women wore long, flowing robes bunched at the waist by cords or sashes. There was an under-tunic of cotton or camels hair and an outer cloak of striped cotton or silk. The men wore brightly-colored turbans. The women generally wore caps covered with a handkerchief and veil. Instead of shoes they wore sandals. The women were fond of jewelry. Besides necklaces and earrings, they often wore rings in their noses and ankle-rings, which tinkled as they walked.
Study Questions
1.What was the difference between how the city people lived and the country people did?
