Medinet Habu and the Sea Peoples

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medinet_Habu_(temple))

Medinet Habu is the mortuary temple of Rameses III.  It is one of Egypt's best preserved temples from the New Kingdom period.  One of the most famous features of this temple are the wall murals depicting the sea battles between Egypt and the Sea Peoples in the days of Rameses III (about 1190 BCE).  

(Photo: Bruce Satterfield)

The murals depicting the battles between Rameses III and the Sea Peoples are located on the northern outside wall of the temple.

(Photo: Bruce Satterfield)

The northern wall upon which the battles with the Sea Peoples is portrayed.

(Photo: Bruce Satterfield)

General view of the battles with the Sea Peoples.  Rameses III can be seen in the upper right hand.  A panel in the temple states who the Sea Peoples were:  "The countries -- , the [Northerners] in their isles were disturbed, taken away in the [fray] -- at one time. Not one stood before their hands, from Kheta, Kode, Carchemish, Arvad, Alashia, they were wasted. {The}y {[set up]} a camp in one place in Amor. They desolated his people and his land like that which is not. They came with fire prepared before them, forward to Egypt. Their main support was Peleset, Tjekker, Shekelesh, Denyen, and Weshesh. (These) lands were united, and they laid their hands upon the land as far as the Circle of the Earth. Their hearts were confident, full of their plans."

(Photo: Bruce Satterfield)

Closer view of the battles with the Sea Peoples.  The captives Philistines are seen on the bottom of the panel.

Drawing of the mural depicting the battles with the Sea Peoples.

Close up of an Egyptian ship (on the left) battling with a Philistine ship (on the right).