Art 211
Egypt
 
Medinet Habu

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"As for the foreign countries, they made a conspiracy in their isles (rww). " -- Inscription at Medinet el Habu

Funerary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu

This temple is claimed to be the best-preserved mortuary temple in the area, and contains more than 75,350 sq ft of decorated surfaces.

The Sea Battle of Ramesses III

 

A description of Ramesses III's campaigns from the Year 8 identifies the enemy as a coalition of so-called "Sea Peoples", or people from the coastal lands of the Mediterranean:

As for the foreign countries, they made a conspiracy in their isles (rww). Removed and scattered in the fray were the lands at one time. No land could stand before their arms, from Hatti, Kode, Carchemish, Yereth, and Yeres on, (but they were) cut off at [one time]. A camp [was set up] in one place in Amor. They desolated its people, and its land was like that which has never come into being. They were coming, while the flame was prepared before them, forward toward Egypt.
Sea Battle, detail:
Sea Battle, detail:
The Land Battle of Ramesses III
Land Battle, detail:
For more information on these controversial depictions, see:
The Inscriptions at Medinet Habu by Michele MacLaren, Liam McManus, and Megaera Lorenz
Also online, an exhibition of photographs of Medinet Habu by Yarko Kobylecky

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Last updated September 25, 2002
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