Long before the Bronze Age world began to crumble, the first of the Sea Peoples were known to Egypt as raiders. In 1278 BCE, Pharaoh Ramesses II defeated a force of Sherden pirates attacking the Nile Delta and pressed the survivors into his personal service. Just four years later, these former enemies served as his elite bodyguard at the great Battle of Kadesh. They stood out among the Egyptian ranks, wielding long, straight swords instead of local sickle-swords. They wore distinctive bronze helmets topped with sharp horns and carried round shields. These captured pirates, turned royal guards, were the first sign of a new and disruptive force entering the politics of the ancient world. Their loyalty was bought with force.
The Mystery of the Sea Peoples
They helped topple the Bronze Age world, and a 2019 DNA study finally proved their European origins.
Chapter 1
The Pharaoh's Foreign Guard
0:48
People in this story
Part of
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Sea Peoples?
The Sea Peoples were a confederation of seafaring raiders who migrated across the Mediterranean during the late Bronze Age. Their attacks contributed to the collapse of major empires, but their precise origins remained a mystery for thousands of years until modern genetic evidence.
Did the Sea Peoples conquer Egypt?
No. Although they launched two massive invasions, they were defeated by Pharaoh Merneptah around 1208 BCE and again by Pharaoh Ramesses III around 1175 BCE. Ramesses III's victories in land and sea battles saved Egypt from the destruction that befell other kingdoms.
Where did the Sea Peoples come from?
A 2019 DNA study provided the first definitive proof of their origins. By analyzing skeletons from a Philistine cemetery in Ashkelon, scientists found a significant genetic link to Southern European populations, likely from areas like Crete, Sardinia, or mainland Greece.
Learn more
To continue the story, download the Chunks Microlearning app
Or get it straight away:
Download on iOS
Download on Android