Merneptah
"In the face of rebellion, stay strong."
Background and Personality
Contributions to Egypt
Israel Stela
This was a carving of words into a stone as the first reference to Israel. It was important because it was written after the Israelis joined forces with the Lybirans to over throw the city of Memphis, Egypt. The main point of the writing says, "Israel is wasted, bare of seed."
The Royal Temple of Memphis
The temple in Memphis, Egypt is truly one of Merneptah's great accomplishments in his short reign. He created this temple in Memphis for the sole purpose of turning Memphis back into the heart and sole of Egypt, when it was in Piramesse.
Military Exbiditions
While in power he was faced with many attacks on the south end of Egypt. The biggest attack faced by Merneptah was the Libyans attack in 1209. The Libyans had banned together with people from Israel and were on their way to attack the new capital of Memphis and he sent troops to meet them. The battle lasted a couple hours and ended with the leader of the rebels fleeing and around 9,400 deaths for the rebels.
The other smaller battle he faced was a revolt from Palestine in 1206. He quickly sent troops over to the city to hush the revolt and prevent as many casualties as possible.
Achievements
He has writings about his military excellence in multiple place around Egypt. The fact they all show support for his strong military actions, show that he was one of the strongest pharaohs in the late years of Egypt.
His other interesting fact is that he was not found in his great temple. He was found with 18 other mummified bodies in the temple of Amenhotep the II. He also moved the main city of Egypt back to Memphis from Piramesse.
Downfall
His reign was ended in 1203 B.C. becasue of his old age. After he had died the throne was passed on to his first son Seti the II who helped Egypt to continue thriving.
Work Cited
Bible History Online.The Real Meaning Behind the Writing. Mereneptah Stele Stone. 5 March 2013. Web. 5 December 2014.
Dunn, Jimmy. Merneptah the fourth king in Egypts 19th Dynasty. Experience Egypts True Colors. 11 January 2000. Web. 5 December 2014.
Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Pharoh Merneptah. Great Pharohs of Egypt. 15 June 2011. Web. 5 December 2014.