vaded Syria from Asia Minor, reaching the Euphrates, destroying the
Hittite cities and progressing southwards, while their ships gathered
plunder from the coasts of the Delta. This fleet joined the Libyan
invaders, but was overthrown with heavy loss by the Egyptians, in whose
ranks there actually served many Sherden and Kehaka, Sardinian and Libyan
mercenaries. Egypt itself was thus clear of enemies; but the chariots and
warriors of the Philistines and their associates were advancing through
Syria, their families and goods following in ox-carts, and their ships
accompanying them along the shore. Rameses led out his army and fleet
against them and struck them so decisive a blow that the migrating swarm
submitted to his rule and paid him tribute. In his eleventh year another
Libyan invasion had to be met, and his suzerainty in Palestine forcibly
asserted. His vigour was equal to all these emergencies and the later
years of his reign were spent in peace. Rameses III., however, was not a
great ruler. He was possessed by the spirit of decadence, imitative
rather than originating. It is evident that Rameses II. was the model to
which he endeavoured to conform, and he did not attempt to preserve
himself from the weakening influences of priestcraft. To the temples he
not only restored the property which had been given to them by former
kings, but he also added greatly to their wealth; the Theban Ammon
naturally received by far the greatest share, more than those of all the
other gods together. The land held in the name of different deities is
estimated at about 15% of the whole of Egypt; various temples of Ammon
owned two-thirds of this, Re of Heliopolis and Ptah of Memphis being the
next in wealth. His palace was at Medinet Habu on the west bank of Thebes
in the south quarter; and here he built a great temple to Ammon, adorned
with scenes from his victories and richly provided with divine offerings.
Although Egypt probably was prosperous on the whole, there was
undoubtedly great distress amongst certain portions of the population. We
read in a papyrus of a strike of starving labourers in the Theban
necropolis who would not work until corn was given to them, and
apparently the government storehouse was empty at the time, perhaps in
consequence of a bad Nile. Shortly before the death of the old king a
plot in the harem to assassinate him, and apparently to place one of his
sons on the throne, was discovered and its investigation or