The last recorded campaign of Amenhotep II

THE LAST RECORDED CAMPAIGN OF AMENHOTEP II, 1443 BCE

In spite of the earlier show of force in North Syria, Amenhotep II did not succeed in convincing the local Canaanite rulers that loyalty to Egypt was imperative. The ruler of Nahrina (Mitanni) probably stepped up his efforts to stir up trouble. This time the resistance centered on the northern Sharon Plain. On this, his second campaign as sole ruler, Amenhotep arrived at Aphek where he was well received by the local ruler. He encamped at Yaham as his father had done and the troops made forays into the scrub forest areas of the Sharon to take prisoners and cattle. The god Amon appeared to him that night and promised victory; the ensuing text is broken but shows that a decisive encounter with the Canaanite forces, perhaps at Gath-padalla, took place. Pharaoh claimed to have personally guarded the captives all night within a ring of fire. Next, the Egyptian army laid siege to Anaharath in eastern Lower Galilee in the valley leading from Mt. Tabor to the Jordan. Afterward, they returned to “the vicinity of Me(!)giddo” (corrupt spelling) for rest and regrouping. From there, troops were sent to nearby Geba-thoman where the local ruler was arrested and his son installed in his place.

Article abstract from The Sacred Bridge