Biridiya
Biridiya was the ruler of
History
Biridiya was the ruler of Magidda (Megiddo). At the time, Labaya of Shechem tried to expand his territory and power. Labaya attacked Megiddo (EA 244) forcing the people to flee inside the city walls and making it impossible to harvest fields. Both Biridiya and Yashdata (EA 248/EA 245) attacked Labaya, apparently with the support of Suruata of Akko. At one point Suruata took Labaya away from Megiddo to send him by boat to the Pharaoh, but he received a randsom and released Labaya (EA 245).
Archaeological evidence
In Egypt, the Amarna Archive (c. 1350 BC) contained letters authored by Biridya. The archive covers diplimatic correspondence from the time of Amenhotep III, Akhenaten and Tutankhamen, referred to as "the Pharaoh". He is also mentioned in other letters. Turmoil emerge in Canaan in the late part of the reign of Akhenaten and into the reign of Tutankhamen who was to young to rule himself and was represented by commissioners.
- EA 242 | "Request granted" | Megiddo king Biridija to pharaoh #1 tells about his assets and that he is at war.
- EA 243 | "Around-the-clock-defense" | Megiddo king Biridija to pharaoh #2
- EA 244 | "Besieged by Labayu" | Megiddo king Biridija to pharaoh #3
- EA 245 | "Assignment of Guilt" | Megiddo king Biridija to pharaoh #4
- EA 246 | "The Sons of Labaya | Megiddo king Biridija to pharaoh #5 about the two sons of Labaya buying mercenaraies from the Habiru and the Suteans to wage war against Megiddo.
- EA 247 | "Who am I?" | Megiddo king Biridija (or Jasdata)
- EA 248 | "An Exiled Ruler" | Ja[sd]ata is exiled and writes to the Pharaoh that he is with Biridiya.
At Kumudi (modern
See also
- EA 245, title: "Assignment of Guilt"
References
- ISBN 0-8018-6715-0)