Merneptah (Pharaoh)

Merneptah was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty, ruling around 1213–1203 BCE. He was the son of Ramses II and became pharaoh after his father's death. Merneptah is best known for the "Merneptah Stele," an inscription that includes the earliest known reference to Israel outside the Bible, suggesting conflicts with various peoples in Canaan. His reign involved military campaigns to defend Egypt's borders and maintain stability. Despite relatively short rule, his inscriptions provide valuable insights into Egypt’s political and military history during the late New Kingdom period.