Ramesses III and the Philistines, 1175 BCE

The mortuary temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu depicts the victory over the Philistines who attempted to conquer Egypt-

“They were coming forward toward Egypt . . . Their confederation was the Tjeker, Shekelesh, Denye(n), Wehesh and the Peleset (Philistines).”

The Philistines are identifiable by their feather head dresses, swan decorations, two edged swords, spears, and rounded shields. Most of the Philistines are depicted as clean-shaven.

The Philistines and other Sea Peoples invaded by sea and were defeated in a great battle called the Battle of the Delta. The naval battle was also depicted on the walls of the Ramesses III’s mortuary temple at Medinat Habu.

The Philistines are the primary enemy of the Israelites throughout the Books of Judges and Samuel and are also mentioned by the prophet Amos-

“I brought Israel up from the land of Egypt, but also the Philistines from Caphtor [Crete].”

– Amos 9-7

See also-

• The Philistines and the Dothans, Hershel Shanks, BAR 19-04, Jul-Aug 1993.
• The Philistines and the Dothans, Hershel Shanks, BAR 19-05, Sep-Oct 1993.
• How Iron Technology Changed the Ancient World and Gave the Philistines a Military Edge, James D. Muhly, BAR 8-06, Nov-Dec 1982.
• Ekron of the Philistines, Trude Dothan and Seymour Gitin, BAR 16-01, Jan-Feb 1990.
• Ekron of the Philistines, Part I, Trude Dothan, BAR 16-01, Jan-Feb 1990.
• The Philistines Enter Canaan, Bryant G. Wood, BAR 17-06, Nov-Dec 1991.
• How Did the Philistines Enter Canaan? A Rejoinder, Itamar Singer, BAR 18-06, Nov-Dec 1992.
• Philistines Upon the Seas, Tristan Barako, BAR 29-04, Jul-Aug 2003.