Post by Catsmate on Jun 14, 2022 21:47:56 GMT
A little item from my notes file.
The First Battle.
Armageddon. The term has certain apocalyptic connotations these days, mainly due to layers of Judeo-Christian imagery, but in addition to being the fabled 'Last Battle' beloved of fantasy and believers in the literal truth of Revelation, it was an actual battle around 3,479 years ago1. Supposedly on April 16th.
Actually the name Armageddon is a corruption of the Hebrew term 'Har Megiddon'. More usually it's called the Battle of Megiddo (wiki), Or rather the First Battle of Megiddo, there have been two more.
It's referred to as the First Battle because it is literally the first large scale conflict we have reasonably reliable information about. It was was fought between Egyptian forces (led by Pharaoh Thutmose III in person) and a large rebellious coalition of Canaanite vassal states led by the king of Kadesh.
The battle ended with a crushing victory for the Egyptian forces. Unfortunately they were distracted by the opportunities for plunder and failed to pursue the fleeing, and scattered, Canaanite forces and hence achieve a victory in depth.
The Canaanites, including the kings of Kadesh and Megiddo, were able to reenter the city of Megiddo and join the defenders inside the city.
The Egyptians lost the opportunity of a quick capture of the city and faced a lengthy siege. It took seven months and significant engineering, to force the occupants to surrender.
The fall of Megiddo was a major step towards re-establishing Egyptian power and control of the Levant.
So it's a ripe opportunity for meddling. Either to achieve a quick and crushing victory (perhaps with some technological assistance?) or to stymie Egyptian expansion.
Comments? Suggestions?
1. Or 3,404 or 3,401 years. It's all rather vague.
The First Battle.
Armageddon. The term has certain apocalyptic connotations these days, mainly due to layers of Judeo-Christian imagery, but in addition to being the fabled 'Last Battle' beloved of fantasy and believers in the literal truth of Revelation, it was an actual battle around 3,479 years ago1. Supposedly on April 16th.
- Which is also the day on which Otto (second of the Four Emperors) killed himself [69CE[, and Masada fell to Vespasian [73CE] and the Scots lost at Culloden [1746CE[. Probably coincidence...
Actually the name Armageddon is a corruption of the Hebrew term 'Har Megiddon'. More usually it's called the Battle of Megiddo (wiki), Or rather the First Battle of Megiddo, there have been two more.
It's referred to as the First Battle because it is literally the first large scale conflict we have reasonably reliable information about. It was was fought between Egyptian forces (led by Pharaoh Thutmose III in person) and a large rebellious coalition of Canaanite vassal states led by the king of Kadesh.
The battle ended with a crushing victory for the Egyptian forces. Unfortunately they were distracted by the opportunities for plunder and failed to pursue the fleeing, and scattered, Canaanite forces and hence achieve a victory in depth.
The Canaanites, including the kings of Kadesh and Megiddo, were able to reenter the city of Megiddo and join the defenders inside the city.
The Egyptians lost the opportunity of a quick capture of the city and faced a lengthy siege. It took seven months and significant engineering, to force the occupants to surrender.
The fall of Megiddo was a major step towards re-establishing Egyptian power and control of the Levant.
So it's a ripe opportunity for meddling. Either to achieve a quick and crushing victory (perhaps with some technological assistance?) or to stymie Egyptian expansion.
Comments? Suggestions?
1. Or 3,404 or 3,401 years. It's all rather vague.