1040–970 BCE - Biblical

King of Israel. In his battle with the Jewish giant Goliath, he exemplified youthful daring and courage. In his lust for the beautiful married woman, Bathsheba, he exemplified human weakness.

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fl. 950 BCE

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fl. 950 BCE

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fl. 850 BCE

King of Israel. His marriage to the Phoenician princess Jezebel and abandonment of monotheism incurred the wrath of the prophet Elijah and led to his eventual downfall.

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fl. 850 BCE - Hebrew

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fl. 850 BCE - Greek

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?–843 BCE - Phoenician

Princess. She brought foreign ways to Israel when she married King Ahab, especially the worship of Baal but also cosmetics (she is described as a painted woman). The prophet Elija denounced all this and she was eventually killed.

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835–765 BCE - Biblical

Old Testament prophet. He expressed the value of monotheism, of obedience to God's Laws, and of the right to speak out against the transgressions of the powerful.

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fl. 750 BCE - Greek

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fl. 750 BCE - Biblical

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fl. 650 BCE - Assyrian

King of Assyria. The kings of Assyria were noted for their ruthlessness and cruelty, and several were assassinated. Assurbanipal, however, also promoted the arts and brought together texts for the first great ancient near-eastern library that we know of.

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fl. 650 BCE - Greek

Athenian archon. His Athenian laws were so severe they inspired the term "draconian."

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fl. c.750–c.650 BCE - Hebrew

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fl. 650 BCE - Biblical

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fl. 650 BCE - Greek

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fl. 650 BCE - Biblical

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fl. 650 BCE - Assyrian

Legendary king. His lifestyle was excoriated by the Hebrew prophets.

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fl. 650 BCE

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fl. 620 BCE - Greek

Poet. He celebrated both physical love and wine.

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610–580 BCE - Greek

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