Megiddo

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One of the best known ancient cities in the Holy Land. Its renown largely stemmed from its exceptionally strategic location, at the Iron (Aruna) Brook's descent into the Jezreel Valley, where it dominated the international route between Egypt and Syria-Mesopotamia. Because of this position, many battles were fought in the immediate vicinity of Megiddo, until its very name – Armageddon – became synonymous with the site of the final battle to be fought at the end of the days between the forces of good and evil (Rev 16:12 ff). (See ARMAGEDDON) The city's repeated destruction and rebuilding has resulted in the accumulation of a high mound-Tell el-Mutesellim – the site of one of the largest and most famous archeological excavations ever undertaken in the country.

The first written mention of Megiddo is in connection with one of the best recorded military campaigns of ancient history. Thutmosis III (15th century B.C.) led an expedition against a coalition of Cannanite cities who rebelled against Egypt's rule. The battle, fought in the vicinity of Megiddo, was followed by a seven month's siege of the city itself. The Egyptian army was victorious in both stages and took large quantities of valuable booty. Thutmosis III then coverted Megiddo into an important Egyptian stronghold, and the city retained its importance throughout the period of the Egyptian empire. It figures in the El Amarna Letters and in other texts of the period.

Megiddo was not initially taken over by the Israelites, remaining throughout the period of the Judges a foreign city in the territory of the tribe of Manasseh (Josh 17:11-13; Judg 1:27-28; I Chr 7:29). By the time of Solomon's rule, Megiddo had become an Israelite city and was fortified together with Hazor and Gezer. Shortly afterwards, in the fifth year of King Rehoboam (c. 925 B.C.), it was captured by Pharaoh Shishak of Egypt. Centuries later it fell to Tiglath-Pileser III king of Assyria (733/32 B.C.), who made it the capital of the Assyrian province of Maggidu. After Josiah's battle against Pharaoh Necho in 609 B.C. at Megiddo (II Kgs 23:29; II Chr 35:22), the city is not mentioned again.

The mound of Megiddo was first excavated in 1903-1905 while more important excavations were carried out between 1925 and 1939. All in all, Tell Megiddo is built up of 24 layers of occupation numbered XX to I (some are subdivided into A and B). These layers cover a period of some 3,000 years, from about 3300 B.C. to about 350 B.C. The first six layers XX to XV) cover the Early Canaanite period. The earliest settlement was humble with mud brick houses. Layer XIX already features a substantial settlement, with a building identified as a temple. This is the earliest of a long sequence of temples built on the same spot. The first known city wall was built in layer XVIII. It was an enormous stone wall, some 25 feet (8 m) wide and at least 13 feet (4 m) high. In the next layer a large building was erected adjoining the wall, and on the spot of the early temple a large circular altar of small rubble stones was constructed. This stone altar remained unchanged for a long time, and in the last phase of the Early Canaanite period three almost identical temples were built around it. One of these temples was also used in the next phase of occupation. The entire building was filled up with rubble, leaving only a square cella in the middle, used as a holy place.

Layers XIII to X represent the Middle Canaanite period (c 2000-1550 B.C.). The earliest of these layers differs markedly from both the preceding and the succeeding layers. A new city wall was built, with a gate, or rather two narrow entrances set a right angles. The gate, being reached from the outside by a flight of steps, was no doubt designed for pedestrians. In layer XII the city took the basic shape it had for the next 650 years or so. Neighborhoods of private houses were identified in various parts of the city. In layer X a palace was built in the northern part of the city. It was rebuilt several times in the subsequent periods, first greatly enlarged, then reduced in size. Much of Megiddo's wealth, including hoards of gold and ivory objects, was discovered in the palaces. An imposing and well-built city gate on the northern side of the city, and the equally impressive fortified temple in the sacred area, may also have been first built in this phase.

The character of the city changed sharply in the 11th century B.C., after the last of the Late Canaanite period cities. The following phase was very poorly built, with the former sacred area no longer in use. This change is believed to indicate a new population. Matters improved later, with renewal of extensive building activity, perhaps by Megiddo's Philistine inhabitants, identified by their pottery vessels. Their city was destroyed by a great fire, attributed to King David.

In the Israelite period, the settlement was initially poor and unfortified, but in the time of King Solomon it became an administrative center with a city wall, a well-built gate with many interesting details and two palaces. This Solomonic city, being rather elusive, was only gradually understood by archeologists. The offset and inset wall, the stables, a city gate shorter than the Solomonic gate and a sophisticated supply system conveying water into the city from the spring at the foot of the mound, are all attributed to King Ahab. Ahab's city stood for about 150 years, until it fell to the Assyrians in 722/23 B.C.

Layer III is Assyrian Megiddo, built along new lines but reusing the old Israelite wall. This is the last phase of importance in the long history of Megiddo. Layers II and I were open, unfortified settlements, which survived into the Persian period.

Recent excavations have concentrated on clarifying chronological matters relating to the Early Bronze and Iron Age settlements.

Concordance
Josh 12:21; 17:11. Judg 1:27; 5:19. I Kgs 4:12; 9:15. II Kgs 9:27; 23:29-30. I Chr 7:29. II Chr 35:22. Zech 12:11