All through Palestine had been little villages nestled on 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 look 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 scavenge whatever was left behind. Their houses were low, plain buildings of brick or rough stones and mud, with hardly any windows, and only two 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 were 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 for entertainment. 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 take refuge, 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 closed at night but stood open during the day and the citizens met there to talk, lounge and trade. The streets were narrow, 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 mainly 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, shared meals and slept there. What we should notice the absence of in their homes would be chairs, as they all sat cross-legged on the floor or on couches. During the cold months, the room was warmed by a little charcoal burning in a pan or on a low stand. wealthy people had candles to burn, but the poor must have gone to bed when darkness fell.

Both genders wore long, flowing robes gathered around the waist by cords or sashes. There was an under-tunic of cotton or camel's hair and an over cloak of striped cotton or silk. The men usually wore brightly-colored turbans. The women generally wore caps covered with a handkerchief and veil. For footwear they wore sandals. The women were fond of jewelry. Besides necklaces and earrings, they often wore nose-rings and ankle-rings, which jingled pleasantly as they walked.

Study Questions

1.What was the difference between how the city people lived and the country people did?

2.How did people travel in those lands?

3.What were their cities like compared to ours?

4.How did their houses differ from ours?

5.What did they wear?