الحملات العسكرية المصرية على بلاد الشام خلال العصر البرونزي المتأخر ( 1550 - 1200 ق. م.)
Date
2023-12-16
Authors
صفاء صالح عبدالله عواد
Safa Saleh Abdalla Awad
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Al-Quds University
Abstract
تناولت هذه الدراسة موضوع الحملات العسكرية المصرية على بلاد الشام خلال العصر البرونزي المتأخر (1550 – 1200 ق.م)، بهدف التعرف على الواقع السياسي لمنطقة بلاد الشام خلال هذا العصر، وعلى الدوافع الكامنة وراء تنظيم حملات عسكرية عدة عليها من ملوك الأسرة الثامنة عشرة والتاسعة عشرة المصريتين، وعلى الأدوات والاستراتيجيات العسكرية التي صاحبت هذه الحملات. ولهذه الغاية فقد استخدمت الباحثة المنهج التاريخي التحليلي بعد جمع البحوث والدراسات ذات العلاقة، والاستناد عليها في إتمام الدراسة.
تكونت هذه الدراسة من ستة فصول، جاءت كالتالي:
الفصل الأول: وقد اشتمل هذا الفصل على مقدمة الدراسة، ومشكلتها، ومبرراتها، وأهدافها، وفرضيتها، وأسئلتها، وحدودها الزمانية والمكانية، والدراسات السابقة، بالإضافة إلى هيكليتها.
الفصل الثاني: تناول هذا الفصل بلاد الشام (فلسطين، والأردن، ولبنان، وسوريا)، ومصر بالتركيز على الموقع الجغرافي، والتسمية في الكتابات القديمة، والطبوغرافية، وأهم الميزات العامة التي سادت فيهما، والتاريخ الحضاري، وكذلك الطرق التجارية/ العسكرية التي ربطت مصر مع بلاد الشام. وبحكم الموقع الجغرافي لبلاد الشام واتصالها المباشر مع مصر، فقد عمدت مصر إلى السيطرة على منطقة بلاد الشام لأغراض دفاعية بشكل أساس، حيث تعتبر فلسطين بمثابة بوابة عبور لدخول مصر؛ ولأغراض سياسية أيضًا؛ حيث سعت مصر إلى تكوين إمبراطورية لها في غرب آسيا؛ وكذلك لأغراض تجارية، إذ أن السيطرة على بلاد الشام يضمن عملية التبادل التجاري بين مصر وبلاد الشام وما ورائها.
الفصل الثالث: تناول الفصل الثالث الأدوات العسكرية التي استخدمتها الجيوش في منطقة الشرق القديم خلال العصر البرونزي المتأخر، منها: التروس والدروع، والخوذة، والصولجان، والخناجر، والسيوف، والبلطات، والرماح، والقوس والسهم، والمقلاع، والعربة. وقد تم التعرف على هذه الأسلحة من خلال اللقى الأثرية التي تم العثور عليها في المواقع الأثرية: ومنها المقابر، بالإضافة إلى النقوش والكتابات والرسوم على جدران المقابر والمعابد، واللوحات الحجرية، والرقم الطينية.
الفصل الرابع: تناول هذا الفصل موضوع الحملات العسكرية المصرية على بلاد الشام خلال الأسرة الثامنة عشرة أبان الفترة (1550 – 1292 ق.م)، إذ سعت مصر في توسيع رقعة إمبراطورتيها خلال هذه الفترة إلى ضم مساحات واسعة من بلاد الشام، فجعلت قسمًا كبيرًا من سوريا تحت سيطرتها السياسية والعسكرية. وقد تجلّت هذه الرغبة ابتداء من حملة الملك "أحمس الأول" الذي حرر مصر من "الهكسوس"، وطاردهم إلى الشمال حتى حاصرهم في "شاروهين"، إحدى المعاقل الأساسية لهم في جنوبي فلسطين. بعدها جاءت حملات الملك "تحتموس الأول"، الذي نصب لوحة تذكارية له في "قرقميش" تأكيدًا على وصوله للمنطقة والسيطرة عليها. وكان "تحتموس الثالث" من أبرز ملوك الأسرة الثامنة عشرة، الذي استطاع أن يقود العديد من الحملات العسكرية على بلاد الشام، ويحد من جموح الملوك الحوريين – الميتانيين في توسيع المناطق المسيطر عليها في سوريا وصولًا إلى لبنان. ولحسن الحظ، استطعنا التعرف على الوضع السياسي القائم خلال حكم الملك "أمنحوتب الثالث"، والملك "أمنحوتب الرابع" – أخناتون- من خلال رسائل "تل العمارنة"؛ فقد خسرت مصر جزءً من أملاكها في آسيا بسبب تمرد المدن السورية على الحكم المصري. ومن الملاحظ بأن المصريين خلال العصر البرونزي المتأخر قد اتبعوا نظامًا إداريًا جديدًا في بلاد الشام؛ حيث عمدوا إلى تشكيل مراكز إدارية مهمة، وكل مركز من هذه المراكز يمثل سكن نائب الملك المصري – المفوضين/ المراقبين، وقد كانت مدينة غزة في بداية الدولة الحديثة بمثابة المعقل الرئيسي للمفوضين، الذين بدورهم يقومون بتعيين أمراء محليين يترأسون حكم مدن مهمة في منطقة بلاد الشام، وبهذا كان الأمراء المحليون تحت مراقبة هؤلاء المفوضين.
الفصل الخامس: تناول هذا الفصل الحملات العسكرية المصرية على بلاد الشام خلال فترة حكم الأسرة التاسعة عشرة (1292- 1187 ق.م). وقد كان الملك "سيتي الأول"، والملك "رمسيس الثاني" من أبرز ملوك هذه الأسرة؛ حيث حاولوا استرجاع هيبة الإمبراطورية المصرية من جديد في ساحة القتال، وتمكنوا من إعادة السيطرة على المدن التي فُقدت السيطرة عليها في عهد الملك "أمنحوتب الرابع" – أخناتون-. وقد امتدت سيطرة الملك "رمسيس الثاني" على فلسطين ولبنان، وجزء صغير من سوريا خاصة على الموانئ البحرية على شواطئ البحر الأبيض المتوسط. وقد قام الملك "مرنبتاح"، ابن الملك "رمسيس الثاني"، بنقش لوحة "مرنبتاح" لتخليد ذكرى انتصاره في حرب أقامها على قبائل سكنت "فلسطين".
الفصل السادس: وفيه عرضت أهم نتائج الدراسة، منها: (1) أن الوقائع والأحداث التاريخية أشارت إلى دوافع مستمرة للدولة المصرية الحديثة من أجل السيطرة على بلاد الشام لاستخدامها كمنصة استراتيجية في حروبها على الدول والممالك الآسيوية القريبة نسبيًا، ولتأمين الطرق التجارية، وللحصول على ثرواتها المختلفة. (2) سعت الدولة المصرية الحديثة إلى منع تشكيل تحالفات كنعانية معادية للنظام السياسي المصري لتسهيل الهيمنة المصرية على بلاد الشام. (3) استخدم المصريون في حروبهم طرقًا برية وأخرى بحرية في تنفيذ حملاتهم العسكرية، وقد كان الأسطول المصري البحري متميزًا خلال العصر البرونزي المتأخر. (4) أن المدن الكنعانية كانت دومًا متمردة على نظام الحكم السياسي المصري، وأدل على ذلك كثرة الحملات العسكرية المصرية على هذه المدن. وفي نهاية الخاتمة تم وضع العديد من التوصيات، ألحقت بقائمة المصادر والمراجع العربية والأجنبية.
This study dealt with the subject of the Egyptian military campaigns against the Levant during the Late Bronze Age (1550 - 1200 BC), with the aim of identifying the political reality of the Levant regions during this era, and the motives behind organizing several military campaigns against it by the kings of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Dynasties, and to acquire knowledge regarding the military equipment and tactics that were employed throughout these military operations. To this end, the researcher used the historical-analytical method after collecting relevant research and studies, and relying on them to complete the study. This study consisted of six chapters, as follows: Chapter One: This chapter encompasses the introduction of the study, the problem, justifications, objectives, hypothesis, questions, temporal and spatial bounds, previous studies, and the overall framework of the research. Chapter Two: This chapter explored the Levant (Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria) and Egypt, with a focus on their geographical location, ancient naming conventions, topography, significant general characteristics, cultural history, and the commercial/military routes connecting Egypt and the Levant. Owing to the Levant's strategic geographical position and its near proximity to Egypt, Egypt sought to exert control over the Levant region primarily for defensive reasons, given that Palestine serves as a crucial transit point for accessing Egypt. Furthermore, Egypt extended its political boundaries to the Levant for both political and commercial reasons. The dominance over the Levant was crucial in ensuring the smooth flow of trade between Egypt and the Levant, and even extending beyond. Chapter Three: This chapter focused on the military equipment employed by armies in the ancient Near East during the Late Bronze Age. These included shields, helmets, maces, daggers, swords, axes, spears, bows and arrows, slingshots, and chariots. The identification of these tools was based on archeological discoveries in tombs, as well as inscriptions, texts, and drawings found on the walls of tombs and temples. Chapter Four focused on the Egyptian military expeditions targeting the Levant regions throughout the Eighteenth Dynasty, spanning from 1550 to 1308 BC. In this period, Egypt endeavored to enlarge its empire by annexing extensive territories in the Levant. Consequently, it exerted significant political and military dominance over a significant portion of Syria. The aspiration for this dominance became apparent during the reign of King Ahmose I, who freed Egypt from the Hyksos and relentlessly pursued them northwards, ultimately besieging them in Sharuhin, a significant stronghold in southern Palestine, as well as other Canaanite cities. Subsequently, King Thutmose I launched expeditions to the Levant and established a commemorative inscription in Qarqamish, which served as evidence of his conquest and dominion over the area. Thutmose III, a major ruler of the Eighteenth Dynasty, successfully conducted numerous military campaigns against the Levant. He effectively curbed the expansionist ambitions of the Hurrian-Mittannian rulers in Syria, including Lebanon. Fortunately, the Amarna letters provided us with valuable insights into the political landscape under the reigns of King Amenhotep III and King Amenhotep IV, often known as Akhenaten. Egypt's territorial holdings in Asia were diminished as a result of the Canaanite cities' uprising against Egyptian governance. During the Late Bronze Age, the Egyptians implemented a novel administration system in the Levant. Their objective was to establish significant administrative hubs, with each of these hubs serving as the abode of the Egyptian Viceroy - the commissioners/observers. During the early New Kingdom period, Gaza City served as the primary bastion of the commissioners. These commissioners, in turn, selected local princes to oversee the administration of significant cities in the Levant region. Consequently, the local rulers were subject to the oversight of these commissioners. Chapter Five: This chapter focused on the Egyptian military expeditions in the Levant regions that took place under the reign of the Nineteenth Dynasty (1308-1200 BC). King Seti I and Ramesses II were highly influential monarchs of this dynasty. An attempt was made to reinstate the esteemed status of the Egyptian Empire through military action, resulting in the successful recapture of cities that were previously lost during the rule of King Amenhotep IV - Akhenaten. King Ramses II exerted dominion over Palestine, Lebanon, and a little portion of Syria, particularly the coastal seaports along the Mediterranean Sea. King Merneptah, the offspring of King Ramesses II, inscribed a commemorative inscription to honor his triumph in a conflict he initiated against the indigenous groups residing in Palestine. Chapter Six: This chapter presents the key findings of the study, which include the following: (1) historical evidence suggests that the Egyptian new kingdom had consistent motives to dominate the Levant. This was done to establish a strategic base for waging wars against neighboring Asian empires and kingdoms, to secure trade routes, and to acquire wealth from the region. (2) The new Egyptian kingdom aimed to hinder the creation of Canaanite alliances that were opposed to the Egyptian political system, in order to establish Egyptian dominance throughout the Levant. (3) The Egyptians utilized both land and sea means to conduct their military operations throughout battles, and their naval navy was renowned during the Late Bronze Age. (4) The Canaanite cities consistently defied the Egyptian governmental system, as demonstrated by the frequent military expeditions launched by Egypt against these cities. At the conclusion's conclusion, a number of recommendations were provided.
This study dealt with the subject of the Egyptian military campaigns against the Levant during the Late Bronze Age (1550 - 1200 BC), with the aim of identifying the political reality of the Levant regions during this era, and the motives behind organizing several military campaigns against it by the kings of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Dynasties, and to acquire knowledge regarding the military equipment and tactics that were employed throughout these military operations. To this end, the researcher used the historical-analytical method after collecting relevant research and studies, and relying on them to complete the study. This study consisted of six chapters, as follows: Chapter One: This chapter encompasses the introduction of the study, the problem, justifications, objectives, hypothesis, questions, temporal and spatial bounds, previous studies, and the overall framework of the research. Chapter Two: This chapter explored the Levant (Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria) and Egypt, with a focus on their geographical location, ancient naming conventions, topography, significant general characteristics, cultural history, and the commercial/military routes connecting Egypt and the Levant. Owing to the Levant's strategic geographical position and its near proximity to Egypt, Egypt sought to exert control over the Levant region primarily for defensive reasons, given that Palestine serves as a crucial transit point for accessing Egypt. Furthermore, Egypt extended its political boundaries to the Levant for both political and commercial reasons. The dominance over the Levant was crucial in ensuring the smooth flow of trade between Egypt and the Levant, and even extending beyond. Chapter Three: This chapter focused on the military equipment employed by armies in the ancient Near East during the Late Bronze Age. These included shields, helmets, maces, daggers, swords, axes, spears, bows and arrows, slingshots, and chariots. The identification of these tools was based on archeological discoveries in tombs, as well as inscriptions, texts, and drawings found on the walls of tombs and temples. Chapter Four focused on the Egyptian military expeditions targeting the Levant regions throughout the Eighteenth Dynasty, spanning from 1550 to 1308 BC. In this period, Egypt endeavored to enlarge its empire by annexing extensive territories in the Levant. Consequently, it exerted significant political and military dominance over a significant portion of Syria. The aspiration for this dominance became apparent during the reign of King Ahmose I, who freed Egypt from the Hyksos and relentlessly pursued them northwards, ultimately besieging them in Sharuhin, a significant stronghold in southern Palestine, as well as other Canaanite cities. Subsequently, King Thutmose I launched expeditions to the Levant and established a commemorative inscription in Qarqamish, which served as evidence of his conquest and dominion over the area. Thutmose III, a major ruler of the Eighteenth Dynasty, successfully conducted numerous military campaigns against the Levant. He effectively curbed the expansionist ambitions of the Hurrian-Mittannian rulers in Syria, including Lebanon. Fortunately, the Amarna letters provided us with valuable insights into the political landscape under the reigns of King Amenhotep III and King Amenhotep IV, often known as Akhenaten. Egypt's territorial holdings in Asia were diminished as a result of the Canaanite cities' uprising against Egyptian governance. During the Late Bronze Age, the Egyptians implemented a novel administration system in the Levant. Their objective was to establish significant administrative hubs, with each of these hubs serving as the abode of the Egyptian Viceroy - the commissioners/observers. During the early New Kingdom period, Gaza City served as the primary bastion of the commissioners. These commissioners, in turn, selected local princes to oversee the administration of significant cities in the Levant region. Consequently, the local rulers were subject to the oversight of these commissioners. Chapter Five: This chapter focused on the Egyptian military expeditions in the Levant regions that took place under the reign of the Nineteenth Dynasty (1308-1200 BC). King Seti I and Ramesses II were highly influential monarchs of this dynasty. An attempt was made to reinstate the esteemed status of the Egyptian Empire through military action, resulting in the successful recapture of cities that were previously lost during the rule of King Amenhotep IV - Akhenaten. King Ramses II exerted dominion over Palestine, Lebanon, and a little portion of Syria, particularly the coastal seaports along the Mediterranean Sea. King Merneptah, the offspring of King Ramesses II, inscribed a commemorative inscription to honor his triumph in a conflict he initiated against the indigenous groups residing in Palestine. Chapter Six: This chapter presents the key findings of the study, which include the following: (1) historical evidence suggests that the Egyptian new kingdom had consistent motives to dominate the Levant. This was done to establish a strategic base for waging wars against neighboring Asian empires and kingdoms, to secure trade routes, and to acquire wealth from the region. (2) The new Egyptian kingdom aimed to hinder the creation of Canaanite alliances that were opposed to the Egyptian political system, in order to establish Egyptian dominance throughout the Levant. (3) The Egyptians utilized both land and sea means to conduct their military operations throughout battles, and their naval navy was renowned during the Late Bronze Age. (4) The Canaanite cities consistently defied the Egyptian governmental system, as demonstrated by the frequent military expeditions launched by Egypt against these cities. At the conclusion's conclusion, a number of recommendations were provided.