One of the “Sea Peoples” who migrated to the southwest coastal plain of Canaan from their home in Crete or Asia Minor after failing in their attempt to settle in Egypt. This migration occurred ca. 1200 b.c.e. at about the same time the Israelites were establishing themselves in the country. The Philistines were centered in five major cities: Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath, and Gaza.