On This Day In History: Battle Of Megiddo Between Thutmose III And King of Kadesh’s Coalition – On Apr 16, 1457

MessageToEagle.com – On April 16, 1457 BC (other source propose May 9), the Battle of Megiddo took place during a rebellion against Pharaoh Thutmose III.

On one side, there was a large Canaanite coalition under the King of Kadesh, and on the other side, Pharaoh Thutmose III with approximately 10,000 men.

Being the event, for which there are detailed accounts, this battle is particularly important for historical records. The accounts come from Egyptian sources-primarily the hieroglyphic writings on the Hall of Annals in the Temple of Amun-Re at Karnak, Thebes (nowLuxor), by the military scribe Tjaneni.

In 1457 BC, a rebellion broke out in present-day Palestine against Egyptian rule. The rebellion began following Thutmose’s rise to the throne and was encouraged by the King of Kadesh, who was the driving and main force behind the revolt.

The Canaanites sought to achieve their independence and has strong allies including kingdoms of Mitanni, Kadesh and Megiddo.

The powerful fortress of Kadesh offered protection to him and the city. The King of Megiddo, with an equally strong fortress, joined the alliance. The importance of Megiddo was its geographical location along the southwestern edge of the Jezreel Valley just beyond the Mount Carmel ridge and the Mediterranean. From this location, Megiddo controled the main trade route between Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Marching north to reassert power, Thutmose ignored his generals and decided to approach Megiddo through the narrow Aruna Valley.

Meanwhile, the King of Kadesh and the rebels, not believing the Egyptians would travel through the valley where they could easily be attacked, deployed to the east and west along easier roads to the city.

As the Egyptians poured out of the valley, they raced back and assumed hasty defensive positions.

The Egyptians rested during the night and disposed their forces in three wings. The attacking Canaanites were routed and so hotly pursued, that the defenders of Megiddo refused to open the gates and pulled their fleeing charioteers over the walls to safety.

Instead of attacking the city, the Egyptians began to loot the abandoned camps, which gave the Canaanites time to organize their defense.

Thutmose was then forced to surround Megiddo, which finally fell.

The conquest of Megiddo and its inhabitants was vital; and it fell after a siege of seven months.

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