Sea Peoples confederation depicted in Medinet Habu reliefs included Philistines and multiple allied groups

Temple complex1500 - 500 BC
When the Sea Peoples Nearly Broke Egypt
Source: When the Sea Peoples Nearly Broke Egypt by World of Antiquity

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📄 Medinet Habu🗺️ More sites in Egypt🌍 Show on the globe

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 stories

Sources

egymonuments.gov.eg
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narmer.pl
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