This engagement was fought near the city of Megiddo in central Palestine.
It was happened on May 15 1479 BC, between Egyptian forces lead by Pharaoh Thutmose III and Kadesh Alliance lead by King of Kadesh. King Kadesh of Palestine had instigated other cities in the region to join him in revolt against Egypt, who was undoubtedly backed by the military might of the Mitanni Empire.
The battle of Megiddo was Thutmose III’s greatest victory. The battle lasted seven months.
Egyptian power was declining, and following the death of the Egyptian co-regent Hatshepsut in 1482, Durusha, the King of Kadesh, led revolt of cities of Palestine and Syria.
Pharaoh Thutmose III was anxious to assert his power and restore Egyptian authority in the Levant. He was the first pharaoh who apparently took his own chronicles on campaign with him.
During the battle the Egyptian army harvested Megiddo’s wheat and after the battle, they took Megiddo’s chariots as war trophies.
On the surrender of Megiddo, Thutmose took most of the rebel kings prisoner, although the king of Kadesh escaped.
Battle of Megiddo (15th century BC)
