Meryey
Berber king who led a Sea Peoples confederacy against Egypt.
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Meryey, also written Meghiey or Meghyey, was a Berber king and Great Chief of the Libu during the late 13th century BC. He is notable for forming a major military alliance of Libu, Meshwesh, Lukka, and several Sea Peoples groups that attacked ancient Egypt under Pharaoh Merneptah.
Literary sources
The Great Karnak Inscription records that Merneptah received news of the attack during the third season, reporting that Meryey had fallen upon the country of Tehenu with his bowmen, including Sherden, Shekelesh, Ekwesh, Lukka, and Teresh, bringing his wife, children, and camp leaders to the western boundary at Perire. The pharaoh, enraged, assembled his court and gave a rousing speech. After a dream in which Ptah handed him a sword, Merneptah's forces engaged the invaders.
Within six hours the surviving Nine bows abandoned their weapons and dependents and fled. Merneptah claimed 6,000 enemy killed and 9,000 prisoners. The inscription details Meryey's emotional collapse on the battlefield upon realizing defeat.
Did You Know?
- He led a confederacy of 40,000 men against Merneptah.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Meryey (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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