Embedded Files
"Our army was annihilated... Our food... incinerated... our vineyards... devastated. Our city is ravaged. Know this! Know this!"
- Final message from Ugarit city, north of Canaan c.1190 BC. - Ugarit city was raided by the "Sea Peoples".
Peleset and Sherden of the Sea Peoples in Battle of the Delta c.1175 BC [source- WikiCommons], (coloured edit by Yala Abdullah).
Bronze Age Collapse & Sea Peoples
Bronze Age Collapse & Sea Peoples
Late Bronze Age Collapse [1200~ 1150BCE]
The Late Bronze Age collapse was a sudden event when all the major nations within the eastern Mediterranean basin collapsed; cities abandoned, societies disintegrated and cultures vanished. This affected ancient Greece, Anatolia, the Hittites, the Levant and ancient Egypt. We are still unsure what happened and why.
Invasion of the Sea Peoples [1178BCE]
The Invasion of the Sea Peoples occurred around the same time. The main source of information on this is from Ramesses III of ancient Egypt. Basically, a large number of tribes ganged together, travelled by ships and then attacked cities along the eastern Mediterranean coast like in Cyprus, the Levant (including Ugarit) and ancient Egypt.
The Sea Peoples consisted of different peoples including Peleset (Philistines), Sherden, Lukka (Lycians), Tjecker, Shekelesh, Denyen, Weshesh, Ekwesh, Karkisha & Teresh. We do not know much about most of these named peoples. Some of these peoples may have been migrants travelling overland as well.
The Sea Peoples were eventually defeated at the Battle of the (Nile) Delta by Ramesses III.
It is suspected that the Late Bronze Age collapse and the Invasion of Sea Peoples are related consequences of a sudden unknown major event. There is speculation as to if this was global warming, massive draught, volcanic activity or a meteor strike. We still don't know.
Tribes of the Sea Peoples
Tribes of the Sea Peoples
In general, Sea Peoples refer to the following tribes of peoples (Here, I am ranking them by importance):-
~ Gold - very important ~
▪ Sherden - likely from Sardinia (Italy).
▪ Peleset - from the Aegean region.
~ Silver - somewhat important ~
▪ Lukka - from Lycia (Anatolia, Turkey).
▪ Shekelesh - likely from Sicily (Italy).
▪ Tjecker - unknown origin.
~ Bronze - not particularly important ~
▪ Karkisha - likely from Caria (Greece).
▪ Ekwesh - possibly from Achaea (Greece).
▪ Teresh - possibly from Etruria (Italy).
▪ Denyen - likely from Danaoi (Greece).
▪ Weshesh - unknown origin.
Peleset/ Philistine pottery fragments
Main Sources of Information
Main Sources of Information
~ Before the Invasion ~
▪ Kadesh Inscriptions - Hieroglyphic inscription for Pharaoh Ramesses II describing the Battle of Kadesh (1274 BCE) against the Hittites.
The Sea Peoples are mentioned as allies on different sides.
▪ Great Karnak Inscription - The hieroglyph inscription of ancient Egypt for Pharaoh MernePtah (reign 1213-1203 BCE).
The Sea Peoples are mentioned in the Battle of Perire (c. 1208 BCE).
~ Invasion of the Sea Peoples ~
▪ Amarna Letters - The massive collection of cuneiform tablets (mostly in Akkadian) of diplomatic correspondences from the coastal Levant (ie. Canaan & Amurru) region.
The Sea Peoples are mentioned in the Ugarit letters (c. 1180 BCE) between King Ammurapi of Ugarit and the Governor of Alashiya (Cyprus).
▪ Medinet Habu Temple - The Mortuary Temple of Pharaoh Ramesses III (reign 1186-1155 BCE).
The Sea Peoples are inscribed with reliefs on the temple walls & pylons. Specifically, the Battle of Djahy and the Battle of the (Nile) Delta (both c.1178 BCE).
~ After the Defeat ~
▪ Onomasticon of Amenope - Papyrus text cyclopedia from ancient Egypt c.1100 BCE.
The Sea Peoples are mentioned as settled in various locations.
Pharaoh Ramesses II.
Pharaoh MernePtah.
Pharaoh Ramesses III.
Battles with the Sea Peoples
Battles with the Sea Peoples
Summary from battles of ancient Egypt:-
-battles- -1- -2- -3- -4-
Karkisha y - - -
Lukka y y - -
Ekwesh - y - -
Teresh - y - -
Sherden y y - y
Shekelesh - y y y
Peleset - - y y
Tjecker - - y y
Denyen - - y y
Weshesh - - y y
-1- Battle of Kadesh, 1274 BCE -2- Battle of Perire, c.1208 BCE - Land attack from the west (Libya)-3- Battle of Djahy, c.1178 BCE - Land battle in middle-south Canaan-4- Battle of the Delta, c.1178 BCE - Sea attack from northeast (Canaan)
Inscriptions at Medinet Habu in praise of Ramesses III's victories: "They have come with fire, prepared before them, forward to Egypt. Their main support is the Peleset, Tjekker, [Shekelesh, Denyen, and Weshesh]... I extended all the frontiers of Egypt and I overthrew those who had attacked them from their lands. I slew the Denyen in their islands, while the Tjekker and the Peleset were made ashes. The Sherden and the Weshesh of the sea were made nonexistent..."
Prelude to the Invasion
Prelude to the Invasion
Mid-1300's - The Amarna Letters mention Lukka raids on Alashiya island (Cyprus).
1278 BCE - The Stele of Tanis records that Sherden sea-pirates attack the coast of ancient Egypt and are defeated by Ramesses II. The Pharaoh then hires the Sherden as his bodyguards. Sherden are depicted with horned helmets.
1274 BCE - In the Battle of Kadesh, the ancient Egyptians have a land battle against the Hittites. The Kadesh Inscriptions record Ramesses II using his Sherden bodyguards to fight for the ancient Egyptians; while the Karkisha and Lukka were alongside with the Hittites.
c.1208 BCE - In the Battle of Perire, the ancient Libyans (from the Maghreb), under the Berber King Meryey, attack the western frontier of ancient Egypt by land. Fighting for Meryey are the Sherden, Shekelesh, Ekwesh, Lukka & Teresh. They are defeated by pharaoh Merneptah. It is mentioned that about 210 Shekelesh were killed in the battle.
The Great Karnak Inscription mentions Meryey's army as "Taking the best of every warrior and every man of war of his country. He has brought his wife and his children — leaders of the camp, and he has reached the western boundary in the fields of Perire".
Note: This invasion force moved with their families in tow.
Up to this point, the involvement of the Sea Peoples has been as auxiliary troops or mercenaries; fighting for another nation.
The Invasion of Ugarit & Alashiya
The Invasion of Ugarit & Alashiya
c.1180 BCE - The Invasion of the Sea Peoples begins in Alashiya island and Ugarit city (Syria). The Ugarit letters do not specifically mention any Sea Peoples tribes. But they do reveal that:-
(a) with 7 ships, the Sea Peoples attack and destroy Alashiya and Ugarit,
(b) for both Ugarit & Alashiya, their armies were away defending Hatti -and- their navies were away defending Lukka, and
(c) the Governor of Alashiya, in writing to the King of Ugarit, says "it was the people from your country, and it was the people from your own ships, who committed this transgression", referring to the invaders.
c.1180 BCE - Hatti (Hattusa), the Hittite capital city, was destroyed.
Inscription from the temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu :
"The foreign nations conspired while on their islands. No land could withstand their arms, from Hatti, Kode, Carchemish, Arzawa, and Alashiya were successively asundered. A camp was set up in Amurru. They ravaged its people and its land was like nothing before. They were coming forward toward Egypt, while the flame was prepared for them."
Note: In sequence; (1) Hattusa & Lukka are attacked by one (or two) invasion force(s), then (2) Alashiya & Ugarit are attacked by a fleet of 7 ships. We know that the Sea Peoples families do appear and set-up for shelter and sustenance. We do not know if the migrating families were moving with the invasion force -or- if they appeared later after the battles were won.
Campaign at Amor/ Amurru
Campaign at Amor/ Amurru
c.1178 BCE - Campaign at Amor (Ammuru).
With the fall of the Hittite empire, some of the Sea Peoples settled in the Amurru region (Both the cities of Ugarit and Kadesh were in Amurru). Pharaoh Ramesses III led a campaign to disrupt the "Asiatics" in Amurru.
Note: It is not clear if the Campaign at Amor was before the Battle of Djahy -or- after the Battle of the (Nile) Delta.
The inscriptions read "The Asiatics are in turmoil... I overthrew those who had attacked them from their lands... I made the land of Amor into non-existence..."
The reliefs at Medinet Habu show the Sherden Corps fighting for Ramesses III. It also shows the Peleset among the defeated prisoners.
Battle of Djahy/ Zahi
Battle of Djahy/ Zahi
Ramesses III's Battle of Djahy against the Sea Peoples land invasion. Mortuary Temple at Medinet Habu. Drawing by Alfred Bollacher.
c.1178 BCE - The Battle of Djahy (Zahi) was a huge and important battle. It tends to be overshadowed by the Battle of the (Nile) Delta.
Pharaoh Ramesses III had to contend with the march of the Sea Peoples across Canaan and eventually towards Egypt.
The inscription read "I organized my frontier in Djahy... Those who reached my frontier, their seed is not... They were dragged, overturned, and laid low upon the beach..."
The Sea Peoples land force arrived with their refugee-families in ox-carts.
Arthur Evans, in The Palace of Minos describes "The ox-wagons with women and children captured in the struggle on the land side show that it was in some sort a migration of peoples".
In this battle, Ramesses III used his Sherden Corps to fight against the Sea Peoples.
Note: The Sea Peoples tribes who were defeated on land were mentioned as "Peleset, Tjekker, Shekelesh, Denyen and Weshesh." The defeated Sherden were later mentioned as "of the sea".
Battle of the (Nile) Delta
Battle of the (Nile) Delta
Ramesses III's against the Sea Peoples in the naval Battle of the Nile Delta. Mortuary Temple at Medinet Habu. Drawing by Alfred Bollacher for the Epigraphic Survey, 1924.
c.1178 BCE - Battle of the Delta takes place soon after* the Battle of Djahy. The Sea Peoples naval force is shown as Peleset and Sherden.
Basically, Ramesses III lured the ships of the Sea Peoples into the mouth of the Nile delta where they clustered together. Ramesses III then loosed upon them a massive archery attack. Simultaneously, he also launched a naval ambuscade upon them.
The inscriptions read "The countries which came from their isles in the midst of the sea... they penetrated the channels of the Nile's mouths."
* We know that the battles of Dhajy & Delta happen about the same time. We assume that land Battle of Djahy occurs before the sea Battle of the Delta.
Note 1: In the battle relief imagery, Ramesses III did not feature his Sherden corps. Think of his Sherden corps as Land-Sherden (with the knobs on their horned helmets); as compared to his enemy Sea-Sherden (without the knobs).
Note 2: The ancient Egyptian ships are shown as galleys (with sails and with rowers) where the ship-bow is a lion head. The Sea Peoples ships have sails and a duck-like prows.
Note 3: The relief imagery shows the Peleset and Sherden armed with swords and shields. Presumably, their ships needed to put them on land to be effective.
Note 4: If we assume the Sea Peoples ships here are the same as those which attacked Ugarit & Alashiya, then we can also assume that either the Peleset or Sherden or both were also serving in the Ugarit armies and navies (Re Ugarit letters: "it was the people from your country, and it was the people from your own ships, who committed this transgression").
The wall relief at Medinet Habu basically has 4 sections:-
Top Left | Top Right
Naval battle carnage | Ramesses III resplendent
---------------------------+-------------------------
Conquered prisoners of war | His Archers & Infantry
Bottom Left | Bottom Right
The naval battle looks messy but is actually only 9 ships in a 3x3 grid arranged as:-
Egypt-galley#1 Peleset-ship#1 Sherden-ship#1
Egypt-galley#2 Sherden-ship#2 Peleset-ship#2
Egypt-galley#3 Peleset-ship#3 Egypt-galley#4
Note that Egypt-galley#4 was a "human-shield" vessel full of Peleset hostages. Also, Peleset-ship#3 is shown as capsized.
Egypt-galley#1
Egypt-galley#2
Egypt-galley#3
Peleset-ship#1
Sherden-ship#2
Peleset-ship#3 capsized
Sherden-ship#1
Peleset-ship#2
Egypt-galley#4 with hostages
From Papyrus Harris I : "As for those who reached my frontier, their seed is not, their heart and their soul are finished forever and ever. As for those who came forward together on the seas, the full flame was in front of them at the Nile mouths, while a stockade of lances surrounded them on the shore, prostrated on the beach, slain, and made into heaps from head to tail."
After the Defeat of the Sea Peoples
After the Defeat of the Sea Peoples
After the Battle of the Delta, Pharaoh Ramesses III transmigrated the peoples of the Peleset, Tjecker & Sherden to settle in south Canaan c.1175 BCE.
They formed a confederation, Philistia (ancient Palestine), comprising the cities of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron and Gath.
Eventually c.1150 BCE, Philistia became a recognised political entity (independent from ancient Egyptian influence).
Whatever caused the Sea Peoples to embark on their invasions, presumably affected ancient Egypt as well. Despite their glorified victories, the ancient Egyptian empire was weakened by the wars. The Sea Peoples battles were expensive and a drain on their resources. Ramesses III would continue to intervene in smaller "campaigns" to disrupt threats but larger battles were no longer viable. When Philistia separated from ancient Egyptian rule, they would not interject.
The Libyan Wars - in brief
The Libyan Wars - in brief
c.1182 BCE - First Libyan War
A land coalition of tribes called Libu (ancient Libyans), Meshwesh and Seped, led by their chief Kapur (Keper); invading West Egypt delta near Wadi Natrun. The invaders moved with their families, cattle and worldly goods.
Defeated by Ramesses III, the inscriptions mention "They spend their day roaming the land and fighting to fill their bellies daily. They have come to the land of Egypt to seek sustenance for their mouths."; and claims 12,535 enemy killed, 1000+ prisoners & seized over 20,000 cattle, goats & donkeys. Further, "I carried off those whom my sword spared, as numerous as hundred-thousands, pinioned like birds before my horses."
Note: This invasion force moved with their families in tow.
c.1176 BCE - Second Libyan War
This time, the invaders were mainly the Meshwesh peoples (and some Libu) led by their chief Meshesher; invading West Egypt delta region.
Ramesses III defeated them by an ambush in the desert, captured Meshesher and seized 43,000 livestock. "Slaying the vanquished of the Meshwesh by His Majesty, mighty of strength."
Ramesses III's army featured a large contingent of Sherden mercenaries.
Note: This invasion force also moved with their families in tow.
Timeline -&- Summary
Timeline -&- Summary
A timeline will help to visualise the suddenness of the events.
1208 BCE Battle of Perire
+- 26 years later
1182 BCE 1st Libyan War
1180 BCE Ugarit & Alashiya fall
1178 BCE Battle of Djahy & Delta
1176 BCE 2nd Libyan War
+- 26 years later
1150 BCE Philistia formed
also for Phoenicia formed
A recurrent theme runs through all these Invasions. The invaders are entire tribes of people displaced from somewhere; travelling with their families; desperately making provisional camps along the way; not begging for mercy nor charity; but using military force to conquer and take territory. A methodology they know well. These were not nomads.
Asiatic prisoners
Details on the Tribes of Sea Peoples
Details on the Tribes of Sea Peoples
▪ Sherden
The Sherden were a major component of the Sea Peoples (with the Peleset) in their ship-borne attack against ancient Egypt in the Battle of the Delta.
Earlier, in 1278BCE, the Sherden pirates had attacked the coast of ancient Egypt. Ramesses II defeated them and also hired them as his bodyguards.
They appear in every Sea Peoples battle:- Against ancient Egypt ; in Perire & Nile Delta. For ancient Egypt (as mercenaries); in Kadesh & Djahy.
Upon their defeat at Nile Delta, they are mentioned as "The Sherden and the Weshesh of the sea were made nonexistent..."
The tribes of Sea Peoples "sent" to settle in south Canaan were Peleset, Sherden and Tjecker. They would later form Philistia.
The 1100BC Onomasticon of Amenope records Sherden living in Canaan.
▪ Peleset
They appear in the "invasion battles" of Djahy & the Nile Delta. Like the Sherden, the Peleset also appear as mercenaries for the ancient Egyptians. Visually, the Peleset appear in overwhelming numbers.
In the book The Palace of Minos, Arthur Evans describes the Battle of Djahy "The ox-wagons with women and children captured in the struggle on the land side show that it was in some sort a migration of peoples and that the process had already begun which was to convert the coast of Canaan into Palestine. It is, moreover, a significant symptom that the Pulasati [Peleset], identified with the later Philistines, and the kindred Tzakkaras [Tjecker] now come to the fore."
Upon their defeat at Nile Delta, they are mentioned as "...the Tjekker and the Peleset were made ashes."
The tribes of Sea Peoples that were "sent" to settle in south Canaan were Peleset, Sherden and Tjecker. They would later form Philistia.
Also called Philistine, Pulasti, Palaset (Exodus 15:14), Palestina (King James bible), the Peleset established Philistia in south Canaan and their material culture of appears there as "Aegean".
Note 1: Evidently, the Sherden and Peleset had been in the region (from ancient Libya to Hittite lands) for a long time working as mercenaries and/ or as migrant workers.
Note 2: The Invasion of the Sea Peoples refers to the entire nations (or remnants of them) working together, moving en masse and invading other countries. While we would think that the invasion force would "take the lead" while the families (with livestock and possessions) would safely follow after; the Libyan wars (incl. Perire) and Djahy describe the invasion force as travelling together with their families, livestock & possessions.
Note 3: Their method was to conquer then pillage; perhaps rest; and then move onto the next country. Why? Surely, Alashiya and Hittite lands were large enough to support their population. Were they obsessed with continuous movement and conquest (like the Mongols and Alexander of Macedon)? Maybe... if they were solely a military force; but this was with their families in tow. Why?
▪ Tjecker
They appear in the "invasion battles" of Djahy & the Nile Delta. The mentions of them tend to be together with the Peleset. The Medinet Habu inscriptions say "...the Tjekker and the Peleset were made ashes."
The tribes of Sea Peoples "sent" to settle in south Canaan were Peleset, Sherden and Tjecker. They would later form Philistia.
In the Story of Wenamun c.1050BCE, a priest of Amun stops at the port of Dor which is rued by a Tjecker prince, Beder. Port Dor is between Ashdod and Tyre; on the coast in the centre of "middle Canaan." Wenamun is robbed and tries to recover his loss from the Tjecker only to be confronted by a fleet of 11 Tjecker ships. The style of writing suggests that the Story of Wenamun is likely to be literature rather than history.
▪ Lukka
They appear in the Battle of Kadesh as an ally of the Hittites and again in the Battle of Perire as an ally of the berber king of ancient Libya .
Lukka is Lycia, in southwest coast of Anatolia. Lukka is frequently mentioned in Hittite texts. This is the same "all my ships are still stationed in the Land of Lukka" from the Ugarit letters.
▪ Shekelesh
They appear in the battles of Perire, Djahy and Nile Delta. Shekelesh are thought to be from Sicily but implied only by linguistic analysis. In the Battle of Perire, it is mentioned that about 210 Shekelesh were killed. Perhaps they were not a major component in the ancient Libyan force.
▪ Karkisha
They only appear in the battle of Kedesh as an ally of the Hittites.
▪ Denyen
They appear in the "invasion battles" of Djahy & the Nile Delta.
The Medinet Habu inscriptions mention "I slew the Denyen in their islands, while the Tjekker and the Peleset were made ashes."
The Denyen is also mentioned as Danuna. In the Amarna Letters, Danuna is a land mentioned by the King of Alashiya (Cyprus).
It is thought that Denyen were from the Aegean Greeks and later settled in Cilicia/ Adana. The "in their islands" phrase may refer to the lagoon/ swamp areas in Adana in Anatolia.
▪ Teresh
They only appear in the battle of Perire. Through linguistic analysis and circumstantial events, the Teresh are thought to be either (a) Etruscans (Tyrrhenoi), or (b) Trojan (Taruisa).
▪ Ekwest
They only appear in the battle of Perire. Ekwest is thought to be Mycenaean Greek but only implied by linguistic analysis and circumstantial timing.
▪ Weshesh
They appear in the "invasion battles" of Djahy & the Nile Delta.
They are mentioned as "of the sea" as in "The Sherden and the Weshesh of the sea were made nonexistent..."
Epilogue of Possibilities
Epilogue of Possibilities
Providing historical proof is difficult... but this is the vibe I'm getting...
Everything about the Sea Peoples is reduced to the Sherden and Peleset.
Let us not be confused between "the mercenaries" and the nation's populace going to war (Applies to both Sherden and Peleset).
The ancient Egyptians were good at keeping records.
For a Temple to glorify the Pharaoh, is it better to say "I defeated the Libyans, Peleset & Sherden" -or- is it better to say "I defeated the Libyans, Peleset, Tjecker, Denyen, Sherden, Shekelesh & Weshesh"?
The Sherden came from the sea and have been around for a longer time. They are sea travellers.
The Peleset arrived by land and sea in massive numbers. They are from somewhere nearer.
What if - The Tjecker were a sub-set of the ethnic Peleset; always appearing when the other appear but in lesser numbers; likely from a neighbouring state.
What if - The Shekelesh were a sub-set of the ethnic Sherden; always appearing when the other appear but in lesser numbers; likely from a neighbouring state.
What if - The Weshesh were perhaps a distant cousin of the ethnic Sherden.
What if - The Denyen were perhaps a distant cousin of the ethnic Peleset.
In examining the larger turmoil, we should include the history of ancient Libyans.
One or both (of the Peleset and Sherden) had been living in Ugarit and serving in the army & navy. Perhaps it was the same ships in Ugarit and Nile Delta battles.
The Peleset, Tjecker & Sherden were "moved out" into Canaan. They formed the nation of Philistia/ Palestine, which is named after the Peleset.
What if - The Sherden moved further north (back to where they had earlier settled) and joined the nation of Phoenicia.
The Phoenicians were famous for their sea-faring expansion across the Mediterranean Sea all the way to Carthage (now Tunisia).
Back to the Battle of Perire; the Sherden and Shekelesh first appeared with the Berber King from ancient Libya.
Providing historical proof is difficult...
~ Bonus Section ~
~ Bonus Section ~
Epigraphic Survey 1924
Epigraphic Survey 1924
Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III, Medinet Habu, Thebes,
West bank of the Nile river, Egypt.
James Henry Breasted [1865 - 1935] of the Epigraphic Survey from 1924 for the Oriental Institute, University of Chicago.
Catalogue of Works on Internet Archive:
OIP 8 - Medinet Habu, Vol. 1, Earlier Historical Records of Ramses III.
OIP 9 - Medinet Habu, Vol. 2, Later Historical Records of Ramses III.
OIP 21 - Excavation of Medinet Habu, Vol. 1, General Plans and Views
OIP 23 - Medinet Habu, Vol. 3, Calendar & Minor Records of Ramses III.
OIP 25 - Reliefs and Inscriptions at Karnak, Vol. 1.
OIP 35 - Reliefs and Inscriptions at Karnak, Vol. 2.
OIP 51 - Medinet Habu, Vol. 4, Festival Scenes of Ramses III.
OIP 56 - Key Plans showing location of Theban Temple Decorations
OIP 74 - Reliefs and Inscriptions at Karnak, Vol. 3.
OIP 83 - Medinet Habu, Vol. 5, The Temple Proper, Pt. 1.
OIP 84 - Medinet Habu, Vol. 6, The Temple Proper, Pt. 2.
OIP 93 - Medinet Habu, Vol. 7, The Temple Proper, Pt. 3.
OIP 94 - Medinet Habu, Vol. 8, The Eastern High Gate.
OIP 100 - Temple of Khonsu, Vol. 1.
OIP 102 - Tomb of Kheruef
OIP 103 - Temple of Khonsu, Vol. 2.
OIP 106 - Great Hyppostyle Hall at Karnak, Vol. 1, Pt. 1.
OIP 107 - Reliefs and Inscriptions at Karnak, Vol. 4.
OIP 112 - Reliefs and Inscriptions at Luxor Temple, Vol. 1.
OIP 116 - Reliefs and Inscriptions at Luxor Temple, Vol. 2.
OIP 118 - Scarabs & Seals from Medinet Habu
OIP 119 - Theban Desert Road Survey, Vol. 1.
OIP 136 - Medinet Habu, Vol. 9, Eighteenth Dynasty Temple.
In the First Courtyard:-
East wall= Battle of Djahy.
North Wall= Battle of the (Nile) Delta.
Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu - by U Hölscher & JH Breasted
Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu - drawn by Uvo Hölscher & JH Breasted for the Epigraphic Survey from 1924.
Prussian Expedition 1852
Prussian Expedition 1852
Carl Richard Lepsius - Prussian expedition to Egypt 1852
Denkmäler aus Aegypten und Aethiopien, 1859 {Monuments}
Lepsius-Projekt Sachsen-Anhalt WebSite
CRL HomePage
Text Volumes
Volume 1 : Lower Egypt
Volume 2 : Central Egypt
Volume 3 : Thebes
Volume 4 : Upper Egypt
Volume 5 : Nubia, Sinai, Eu. Museum
Plates & Drawings
Section 1
Vol. 1 : Topography & Architecture
Vol. 2 : Topography & Architecture
Section 2
Vol. 3 : Old Kingdom
Vol. 4 : Old Kingdom
Section 3
Vol. 5 : New Kingdom 1-92
Vol. 6 : New Kingdom 91-172
Vol. 7 : New Kingdom 173-243 *
Vol. 8 : New Kingdom 243-304
Section 4
Vol. 9 : Greek & Roman rule
Section 5
Vol. 10 : Ethiopia
Section 6
Vol. 11 : Inscriptions
Vol. 12 : Inscriptions
Supplementary
CR Lepsius' Sheets (Blatt) and their equivalent on JH Breasted's Plates.
CRL : JHB
Blatt : Plate
N209 = 85
N210 = 102
N211 = 44
N212 = 207, 208, 214
Note: 20th Dynasty = vol.7, sheet 207 -243
209 conquered nations210 smacking multi heads w Horus186 smacking multi heads w Horus211 offering Peleset prisoners to Amon236 ramshead ship, elaborate224 chatting w Horus (bird head)190 Sitting gods (w Amon blue guy)189 carry ramshead ship180 bird head ship176 smacking 2, Libyan & Nubian195 smacking 2 w Horus & Amon174 giving weed to Horus234 giving weed to Horus212 giving weed to Min (2plume hat, erection)240 4 headed ram man239 decorate w Horus & Thoth (stork head)-being gay 177
209 conquered nations210 smacking multi heads w Horus186 smacking multi heads w Horus211 offering Peleset prisoners to Amon236 ramshead ship, elaborate224 chatting w Horus (bird head)190 Sitting gods (w Amon blue guy)189 carry ramshead ship180 bird head ship176 smacking 2, Libyan & Nubian195 smacking 2 w Horus & Amon174 giving weed to Horus234 giving weed to Horus212 giving weed to Min (2plume hat, erection)240 4 headed ram man239 decorate w Horus & Thoth (stork head)-being gay 177
Chronology of attacks by the Sea Peoples.
Chronology of attacks by the Sea Peoples.
Summaries created with assistance from DeepSeek
1: c. 1208 BCE: 5th Year of Pharoah MerneptahBattle of Perire, stated in the Great Karnak Inscripton, the Libyans attack Egypt from the west. Libyans used Sea People tribes of Sherden, Shekelesh, Lukka and Ekwesh. Merneptah is victorious at the Libyan frontier.
1: c. 1208 BCE: 5th Year of Pharoah MerneptahBattle of Perire, stated in the Great Karnak Inscripton, the Libyans attack Egypt from the west. Libyans used Sea People tribes of Sherden, Shekelesh, Lukka and Ekwesh. Merneptah is victorious at the Libyan frontier.
2: c. 1180 BCE: Inland HattusaThe Hittite capital of Hattusa is burned and abandoned. The role of the Sea Peoples is debated. Egyptian records state "no land could stand before their arms" and that Hatti was "cut off."3: c. 1180 BCE: Coastal CanaanAlashiya (Cyprus): The king of Alashiya writes to the king of Ugarit (RS 20.18) stating that the enemy is already in his country and that his cities have been burned. Major Cypriot sites like Enkomi and Kition were destroyed around this time.From Tablets (RS L.1); Ugarit city was destroyed while its army and navy were away, leaving it defenseless.Many sites along the coast, such as Ashkelon and Akko, show layers of destruction around this time, which is linked to the Sea Peoples and the general upheaval.
4: c. 1178 BCE: 8th Year of Ramesses III A larger Sea Peoples coalition including the Peleset (Philistines), Tjekker, Shekelesh, Denyen, Weshesh and Sherden. The reliefs show them traveling with ox-carts carrying women and children, indicating a migration, not just a raid.Land Battle of Djahy: The confederation of Peleset, Tjekker, Shekelesh, Denyen and Weshesh moved south through to middle Canaan. Ramesses III mobilized his army and claims to have defeated them in a great land battle in Djahy (Ashkelon area & inland).Naval Battle of the Delta: The confederation list is the same but also includes Sherden. Simultaneously, the enemy fleet tried to enter the Nile Delta. Ramesses positioned his own ships and archers on the shore, trapping the Sea Peoples' fleet in the Delta. The reliefs show a chaotic battle with Egyptian ships capsizing enemy vessels and Egyptian archers firing point-blank into the crowded enemy ships. Ramesses III is victorious. "Those who reached my frontier, their seed is not, their heart and their soul are finished forever and ever."
5: Post-1178 BCE: Aftermath and Settlement While Ramesses III claimed victory, he could not prevent the Sea Peoples from settling elsewhere. The Egyptian presence in Canaan collapsed soon after.The Philistines/ Peleset were settled on the southern coast of Canaan, establishing their Pentapolis (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath). A material culture of Aegean-style appears at these sites.Other groups, like the Tjekker, are thought to have settled further north, at sites like Dor.
Ugarit attack - in detail
Ugarit attack - in detail
Letter 2. From the Governor of Alashiya to Ammurapi of Ugarit
Invaders are people from Ugarit.
Invaders are people from Ugarit ships.
Ugarit did not repel them.
Alashiya cities on fire & land damaged.
Alashiya troops are still in Hatti,
Alashiya ships are still in Lukka.
Alashiya is invaded and helpless.
Seven enemy ships attacked Alashiya.
Letter 3. From Ammurapi of Ugarit to the Governor of Alashiya
Seven enemy's ships attacked Ugarit.
Ugarit cities on fire & land damaged.
All Ugarit troops & ships did not return to Ugarit.
Ugarit is invaded and helpless.
Summary of the Letters:
To aid the Hittite empire, Ugarit sent their army to Hatti & navy to Lukka/ Lycia as defence against the Sea Peoples.
Ugarit get word of 7 Sea Peoples ships headed their way. They ask Alashiya/Cyprus for help.
Alashiya are already under attack and lose.
Ugarit are attacked and lose.
While under attack by the Sea Peoples, the Ugarit correspondences were written on clay tablets in Akkadian. The Amarna Letters translations here were selected by DeepSeek AI.
Letter 1. From Ammurapi of Ugarit to the Governor of Alashiya (Cyprus)Tablet Reference: RS 20.238"My father, now the enemy's ships are coming. They have been setting fire to my cities and have done harm to the land.""My father, did you not know that all my troops were stationed in the Hittite land, and that all my ships are still stationed in the land of Lukka? They have not returned, so the land is thus prostrate. My father, you must know this! Now, the seven enemy ships that have come have done harm to us."
Letter 2. From the Governor of Alashiya to Ammurapi of UgaritTablet Reference: RS 20.18"As for the matter concerning those enemies: it was the people from your country, and it was the people from your own ships, who committed this transgression! ""You have not driven them back from your country, and you have even allowed them to set my cities on fire and do harm to my land!""Consider, my father, the fact that the enemy's forces are stationed in my own country! Every single one of my cities has been burned, and they have done terrible things in my land.""My father, did you not know that all my troops are stationed in the Hittite Land, and that all my ships are still stationed in the Land of Lukka? They have not returned home.""Thus, my country is abandoned to itself. Don't you see this? The seven enemy ships that came here inflicted great damage upon us. Now, if any more enemy ships appear, please send me a message so that I may know."
Letter 3. From Ammurapi of Ugarit to the Governor of AlashiyaTablet Reference: RS L.1"My father, the enemy ships are already here! They have set fire to my cities and have done harm to the land. Doesn't my father know that all my troops and chariots are in the Hittite Land, and all my ships are in the Land of Lukka? ...Thus, the country is abandoned to itself. May my father know it! The seven enemy ships that came here have caused us harm."
This letter was found still in the oven. Last known communication from Ugarit.
This letter was found still in the oven. Last known communication from Ugarit.
Points of Interest:
1).
The Sea Peoples navy was fierce & co-ordinated. However, there was a sufficiently large threat (undisclosed) such that both Ugarit & Alashiya sent their armies to Hatti and navies to Lukka.
We know Hattusa (Hittite capital) was destroyed.
We assume the Sea Peoples defeated Lukka.
The Sea Peoples'7 ships defeated Alashiya.
The Sea Peoples'7 ships defeated Ugarit.
2).
The Governor of Alashiya referred the transgressors as "people from your country" and "people from your own ships".
It seems that some of the people in Ugarit who live on the land and work on ships are from the tribes of Sea Peoples.
Ramesses III year calculation
Ramesses III year calculation
Born 1217 BCE / Died 1155 BCE / 20th Dynasty
Enthroned 1186 BCE March -or- 1187 BCE
Start using 1186 BCE
Yr01= 1186-1185 | Yr02= 1185-1184 | Yr03= 1184-1183 | Yr04= 1183-1182
Yr05= 1182-1181 | Yr06= 1181-1180 | Yr07= 1180-1179 | Yr08= 1179-1178
Yr09= 1178-1177 | Yr10= 1177-1176 | Yr11= 1176-1175 | Yr12= 1175-1174
Yr13= 1174-1173 | Yr14= 1173-1172 | Yr15= 1172-1171 | Yr16= 1171-1170
Yr17= 1170-1169 | Yr18= 1169-1168 | Yr19= 1168-1167 | Yr20= 1167-1166
Battle of Djahy = 8th year = 1179-1178 BCE
1st Libyan War = 5th year = 1182-1181 BCE
2nd Libyan War = 11th year = 1176-1175 BCE
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