Sea Peoples confederation depicted in Medinet Habu reliefs included Philistines and multiple allied groups. Sea Peoples formed an alliance of multiple groups from around the Aegean Pelleset (Philistines) identified by feathered headdresses Named groups included Pelleset, Jezecker, Sheekches, Denyen, and Wesh
The Sea Peoples weren't a single group - they were a confederation including the Peleset (Philistines, identified by their distinctive feathered headdresses), Tjekker, Shekelesh, Denyen, and Weshesh. Reliefs show families, carts, and possessions indicating massive population movement. After Egypt stopped them, the Philistines successfully invaded Canaan instead, settling in what is now Gaza. This happened around 1177 BCE.
Key Facts
- Sea Peoples formed an alliance of multiple groups from around the Aegean
- Pelleset (Philistines) identified by feathered headdresses
- Named groups included Pelleset, Jezecker, Sheekches, Denyen, and Wesh
- Reliefs show families, carts, and possessions indicating large-scale population movement
- After failing to invade Egypt around 1174 BCE, Philistines successfully invaded Canaan and settled in Gaza
- Hittite Empire and Mycenaean palace centers had already collapsed or were collapsing during this period
Related site: Medinet Habu — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: When the Sea Peoples Nearly Broke Egypt by World of Antiquity