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The Battle of Megiddo: Thutmose III and the First Battle Recorded in History

The Battle of Megiddo (c. 1457 BCE) is renowned as the first battle in world history to be documented in credible detail, recorded by scribes on the walls of the Temple of Amun at Karnak. Led by Pharaoh Thutmose III against a coalition of Canaanite princes centered at the city of Megiddo, the conflict was sparked by the rebellious Prince of Kadesh. Thutmose III famously disregarded the advice of his generals and chose the narrow, risky route through the mountains—a move that surprised the enemy and allowed the Egyptian army to flank the coalition. Though the Egyptian soldiers momentarily broke formation to loot the abandoned enemy camp, the subsequent siege and victory firmly established Egyptian control over the Levant, transforming Egypt into the dominant power of the Near East and ushering in the wealth of the New Kingdom empire.
  • Updated: December 22, 2025

The Battle of Megiddo

This battle of Megiddo was fought between Egyptian forces commanded by Pharaoh Thutmose III and a rebellious alliance of Canaanite vassal kingdoms led by the king of Kadesh. The Battle of Megiddo is the first fight to be recorded in full. Megiddo also saw the first composite bow and the first body count. The battle’s specifics originate from Egyptian sources, particularly Tjaneni’s hieroglyphic writings on the Hall of Annals in the Temple of Amun-Re at Karnak Temple Complex.

This battle of Megiddo took place on the 21st day of the first month of the third season of Thutmose III’s reign. According to the Middle Chronology, this was April 16, 1457 BC, although other sources place it in 1482 BC or 1479 BC. The Egyptians routed the Canaanite army, which fled to Megiddo for safety. Their actions caused the long Megiddo Siege. Thutmose III began his reign by restoring Egyptian control in the Levant. Pharaoh Thutmose III expanded the Egyptian Empire’s long-standing influence in the Levant. He responded promptly to an uprising of local rulers near Kadesh in modern-day Syria after the Egyptian Pharaoh Hatshepsut had ended his regency.

As Egyptian buffer provinces along the Hittite border tried to alter their vassalage, Thutmose III dealt with it directly. The Canaanites were associated with the Mitanni and Amurru from the area between the Orontes and the Jordan. The King of Kadesh was the major driver of this uprising. The formidable Kadesh castle guarded him and the city. Megiddo’s King joined the coalition with an equal castle. Megiddo’s strategic location on the southwestern border of the Jezreel Valley, beyond the Mount Carmel range and the Mediterranean, was vital. Megiddo commanded the Via Maris, the primary Egyptian-Mesopotamian trading route.

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Details on the Walls of Amun Temple in Karnak

Megiddo Battle on the Walls of Amun Temple in Karnak - Egypt Fun Tours

The Egyptians carved the details of the Battle of Megiddo on the walls of Karnak. Thutmose assembled an army of ten to twenty thousand soldiers. This army included both chariots and infantry. The king of Kadesh invaded Megiddo at the same time. He stationed his forces at the rivers of Taanach. He expected the Egyptians to come through Taanach via Dothaim.

The Egyptian army gathered in Tjaru and arrived in Gaza ten days later. After a day’s rest, they marched eleven days north to Yehem. Thutmose sent scouts from here. The army had to cross the Carmel mountain range to reach the Jezreel Valley and Megiddo. Rebel troops had gathered there. There were three routes from Yehem to Megiddo. The routes through Zefti and Tel Yokneam were safer but longer.

The central route through Aruna was shorter but riskier. It went through a small canyon. The enemy could easily ambush the Egyptians at the mouth of the ravine. The army chiefs begged Thutmose to take the easier way. Thutmose III chose the direct route to Megiddo. He went against his generals’ advice, trusting his scout reports.

The King of Kadesh left large military groups watching the two most plausible routes. He had not considered Aruna. Thutmose followed the direct path through Wadi Ara. He ignored the dangers of spreading out his army in the highlands. There, enemy forces could ambush leading troops in small mountain passes. Thutmose avoided Aruna himself. He left his chariots to deal with any rebel pickets. Thutmose launched a quick assault, scattering them. He entered the valley without a fight. This gave the Egyptian army a free route to Megiddo. The main rebel forces were to the north and south.

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Thutmose III Wins the Battle of Megiddo

Thutmose took advantage of the situation. He made camp but positioned his men close to the enemy. They attacked the next morning. It is unclear if the King of Kadesh was ready for combat.

The Egyptian line was organized in a concave shape. It had three wings that threatened both Canaanite sides. The Canaanite men were on high ground near the citadel. Both armies likely had 1,000 chariots and 10,000 foot soldiers. The Pharaoh led the attack from the middle.

The enemy’s will to fight broke. Their line disintegrated. This happened because of the Egyptian’s position and numbers, better mobility, and an early, aggressive attack. Some Canaanite soldiers fled into the city. They closed the gates behind them.

Egyptian troops began looting the enemy camp. They took 924 chariots and 200 suits of armor. During the chaos, scattered Canaanite soldiers rejoined the defenders inside the city. The kings of Kadesh and Megiddo were among them. People inside the city dropped their clothes. They dragged the soldiers and chariots up over the walls.

The Egyptians lost their chance to capture the city quickly. They besieged the city for seven months. During this time, the King of Kadesh escaped. Thutmose surrounded the city with a moat and a timber wall. This forced the people to surrender.

The victorious army took many spoils. At Karnak, they recorded 340 captives, 2,041 mares, 191 foals, 6 stallions, 924 chariots, 200 suits of armor, 502 arrows, 1,929 cattle, and 22,500 sheep. They also captured the King of Megiddo’s armor, chariot, and tent-poles. The city and its people were not harmed. The Egyptians captured other settlements in the Jezreel Valley and re-established control in the region.

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This campaign resulted in the expansion of Egypt’s territory. “By reestablishing Egyptian authority in Canaan, Thutmose inaugurated a reign in which Egypt achieved its greatest extent as an empire,” stated Paul K. Davis. [10] The vanquished monarchs were forced to send a son to the Egyptian court by Thutmose III. They obtained an Egyptian education there.

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They governed with Egyptian inclinations when they returned to their homelands. Nonetheless, the conquest of Megiddo was merely the beginning of the Levant’s pacification. The discontent subsided only after several more campaigns, which were held practically annually. One unexpected outcome of the Battle of Megiddo was the word Armageddon, which was derived from Megiddo’s name. Visit the beautiful temples and ancient sites of Egypt to learn about Egyptian mythology, wars, civilization, history, and much more. Check out our breathtaking Egypt tour packages or Egypt Nile cruises to plan your ideal holiday.

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