THE POLITICAL RESISTANCE PRO-EGYPT IN CANAAN IN THE AMARNA PERIOD

Abstract

The aim of this article is to present the political resistance organized by the pro-Egypt city-states in face of the advance of the Shechemite rebellion in Canaan during the Amarna letters period. On the beginning the revolt led by Lab'ayu, ruler of Shechem, was seen as an isolated movement of another mountain rebel group. But when the rebellion spread out and joined others city-states, and especially when it threatened to take over the Jezreel Valley, Egypt was forced to organize its vassals who were still loyal to it. The study will be done by analyzing the letters sent to Egypt by the rulers of Hazor (EA 227 and 228), Gath-Padalla or Rehov (EA 249 and 250) and Jerusalem (EA 285-290) found in Tell el-Amarna.