The Egyptian army covered the distance from the Nile to the Megiddo region with great speed.  Then, probably by night, Thutmosis personally led his troops along a narrow road through the hills south of the city (through what is now called the 'Aruna Pass), over the protests of his advisors who argued that the troops would be unable to maneuver and vulnerable to ambush {a situation not unfamiliar to the South Hill Brass}.  This enabled the Egyptians to achieve at least some degree of surprise.
(In addition to the ancient Egyptian account, there is an interesting discussion of the battle at a [painfully slow-loading] wargamers' site.  Tel Aviv University offers an extensive site devoted to their Megiddo Expedition, including information on the ancient city, present-day excavations, and a virtual tour (featuring the graphic seen above).  For references to a 609 B.C. battle of Megiddo, see The Holy Bible, II Kings 23, verses 29 and 30, or II Chronicles 35, verses 19 through 24.)
The South Hill Brass Presents
Historic Battles
Through much of mankind's history, military battles have served as key benchmarks.  Even battles without clear victors have changed the course of history, sometimes in unpredictable ways.  Other battles, while forever altering thousands of individual lives, today serve only as tragic reminders of human folly.
In light of this historic and personal importance, this page offers a brief overview of a significant battle.  The original plan was to feature each battle for a period ranging from one to three months, then switch to a different battle.  However, I have grown quite fond of Megiddo, so this battle may be featured a little longer.
The Battle of Megiddo
As the evening winds down, and the conversation turns to famous battles, "Megiddo" is rarely the first word mentioned.  Perhaps it should be.  In addition to providing the name for a key World War I battle (sometimes called "the Battles of Megiddo") occurring over a wide area of Palestine, the ancient city of Megiddo was the site of countless battles.  Even the term "Armageddon" refers to the mountain district of ancient Megiddo.
Note: While the FACTS of history remain constant, our KNOWLEDGE of history is constantly evolving.  Even eyewitnesses to specific battles offer conflicting versions, so the Truth can be impossible to determine.  The South Hill Brass "Historic Battles" page will endeavor to offer accurate information, but we freely admit that this is only one view, and not necessarily the correct one.  We invite you to use this information as a starting point for your own research.
Our focus here, however, is the Battle of Megiddo in 1469 B.C.  What sets this battle apart from all others is that it is the FIRST battle recorded by history.  (This fact was of NO significance to the people of ancient Megiddo, who had experienced many battles before.)
Megiddo was a walled city (like better-known Jericho) in Palestine, southwest of the Sea of Galilee, near the Plain of Esdraelon.  The Kings of Megiddo and Kadesh led a rebellion of several cities in the region, against the authority of the New Kingdom of Egypt.  Pharaoh Thutmosis III (there are various modern spellings of his name) responded by leading his full Egyptian army against the rebel forces, commanded by the King of Megiddo.
While we know few details, the actual battle was fought outside the city, not far from where the rebel army was bivouacked, with Thutmosis again personally leading his troops.  It is likely that most of the fighting was done with compound bows fired from moving chariots {again, reminiscent of certain South Hill Brass engagements}.  The number of casualties is unknown today, but those of the rebel army were greater.  The rebel army broke and fled into the city, with some being assisted over the walls by the inhabitants after the city gates were closed.
Instead, the Egyptians were forced to build fortifications and lay seige to the city.  Estimates of the length of the seige vary from three weeks to seven months, but starvation was a factor in the city's eventual surrender.  Although it seems that the Kings of Megiddo and Kadesh escaped, the rebellion was over.
(In addition to the ancient Egyptian account, there is an interesting discussion of the battle at a [painfully slow-loading] wargamers' site.  Tel Aviv University offers an extensive site devoted to their Megiddo Expedition, including information on the ancient city, present-day excavations, and a virtual tour (featuring the graphic seen above).  For references to a 609 B.C. battle of Megiddo, see The Holy Bible, II Kings 23, verses 29 and 30, or II Chronicles 35, verses 19 through 24.)
Thutmosis believed Megiddo itself could be taken in the final stages of the battle, but his troops interrupted their pursuit to plunder the enemy camp outside the walls.  An ancient Egyptian account (translated into English) records his angry words:  "Had ye captured this city afterward, behold, I would have given Re this day; because every chief of every country that has revolted is within it; and because it is the capture of a thousand cities, this capture of Megiddo. Capture ye mightily, mightily."
The Egyptian army covered the distance from the Nile to the Megiddo region with great speed.  Then, probably by night, Thutmosis personally led his troops along a narrow road through the hills south of the city (through what is now called the 'Aruna Pass), over the protests of his advisors who argued that the troops would be unable to maneuver and vulnerable to ambush {a situation not unfamiliar to the South Hill Brass}.  This enabled the Egyptians to achieve at least some degree of surprise.