'A handbook of Syria (including Palestine). London: Naval Staff Intelligence Department, June 1919' [‎60r] (124/738)

MILITARY HISTORY
113
The general result of modern criticism is to reduce greatly the
numbers of ancient history, in comparison with those of the
present day. But this does not alter the importance of the
events themselves nor the achievement of those who played
a part in them.
I. Early History (15th-9th century b.c.)
The characteristic features of the history of Syria might be
as the reign of the Egyptian king Thothmes III (early fifteenth
sows of century) supplies the first detailed account of an invasion of
of Syria was then, in the main, Canaanite, although mixed
events tier often crossed its borders. The country was ruled by petty
lemy iorces, the Canaanites of central Syria had been formed against- the
value. He Egyptians, and their army waited for the invaders at Ta £ annak,
greatbai, behind the line of hills that stretches east from Carmel,
i demand to Thothmes marched from the frontiers of Egypt to Gaza
eatnuk (125 miles) in 10 days. When he reached the spurs of Carmel
ice of great he chose the central road of the three which cross the hills to
he case it the central plain. The Canaanites let his army issue un-
tion of large molested from the pass, and the decisive battle of the cam-
pest. Ct paign was fought and won by the Egyptians at Megiddo.
The town of Megiddo was besieged and captured, and
hat definite The whole campaign lasted from the end of April to perhaps
given, and the close of summer. The annals of Thothmes record after
Ha this 18 years of warfare in Syria. The policy followed was to
) nioA er conquer the Phoenician coast towns first, and then to transport
ffnmerital by sea to central Phoenicia the forces which were to be used
against the north. Evidently the Egyptians marched along
El-Buqei‘ah and waged war with the inland towns of northern
illustrated from events reaching as far back as 3000 B. c. But
Predominance of the Egyptians and the Hittites
tide figures, Syria, this may be taken as a starting-point. The population
principles, with elements from the neighbouring peoples who had already
le estimate princes, whose principal towns occupied the sites and were
ite of mind, denoted by the names which they have to-day. A league of
operations were then conducted in the district of Lebanon.
SYEIA
H