Siege of Dapur
The siege of Dapur took place during Pharaoh Ramesses II's campaign to suppress Galilee and conquer Syria in 1269 BC. He detailed this campaign on the walls of his mortuary temple, the Ramesseum in Thebes, Egypt. The inscriptions indicate that Dapur was "in the land of Hatti." While Dapur has often been identified with Tabor in Canaan, Egyptologist Kenneth Kitchen argues that this identification is incorrect and that the Dapur in question was actually located in Syria, north of Kadesh.
Egyptian reliefs portray Dapur as a heavily fortified settlement with both inner and outer walls, situated on a rocky hill, typical of Bronze Age settlements in Syria and similar fortifications found in Egypt. These reliefs provide valuable insights into the military architecture and defensive strategies of the time, highlighting the challenges faced by Ramesses II's forces in their siege efforts.
Contemporary illustrations of the siege show the use of ladders, chariots, and mounted cavalry, with Egyptian soldiers climbing scale ladders supported by archers. Notably, six of Ramesses II's sons, still wearing their side locks, are depicted participating in the siege, emphasizing the significance of this military campaign and the involvement of the royal family in the pharaoh's military endeavors.