Ancient Egypt: The victories of Ramses III over the Libyans

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Ramses III: The Libyans

After a first victory over the Libyans in his fifth year, Ramses III had to deal with them again in his eleventh. They had decided to risk their lives in order to establish themselves in Egypt and invaded the land of the Tehenu. Ramses met them near Memphis and completed his victory over them: more than 2000 were killed, among them King Mashashar and a further 2000 were taken prisoner together with Mashashar's father, King Kapur.

[Bound prisoners of war] Bound prisoners of war
Source: L. Casson Ancient Egypt, excerpt

Behold, I will inform you of other things, done in Egypt since my reign. The Libyans and the Meshwesh (mSAwASA) [1] were dwelling in Egypt, having plundered the cities of the western shore, from Memphis to Kerben (qArAbAnA) [2]. They had reached the great river [3] on both its banks. They it was who plundered the cities of Egwowe [4] (gwtwt) during very many years, while they were in Egypt.
Behold, I destroyed them, slain at one time. I laid low the Meshwesh, the Libyans, the Esbet (AsAbAtA), the Keykesh (qAjqASA), the Shai (SAj), the Hes (hAsA) and the Beken (bAqAnA); they were overthrown in their blood and made heaps. I turned them back from trampling the border of Egypt. I carried away those whom my sword spared, as numerous captives, pinioned like birds before my horses, their wives and their children, by the ten-thousand, their cattle in number like hundred-thousand. I settled their leaders in strongholds in my name. I gave to them captains (Hrj.w) of archers, and chief men of the tribes, branded and made into slaves, impressed with my name; their wives and children were made likewise. I led their cattle into the house (pr) [5] of Amon; they were made into herds, forever
Papyrus Harris
J. H. Breasted, Ancient Records of Egypt, Part Four, §405

Many of the Sea Peoples, to whom the Libyans are counted, were settled in the Delta

Sherden and Kehek live in their cities, at rest, lying on their backs. They are not afraid anymore, they have no enemies not from Kush not from Syria. Their bows and spears are in their arsenals. They are satisfied and drunk with joy. Their wives are with them and their children... For I am their defender. I give life to the whole land, strangers as well as peasants and citizens.

[1] mSAwASA: in Egyptian transcriptions of foreign names the "A" seems to have been used as a kind of auxiliary vowel. For the pronunciation see Transliteration and Pronunciation of Ancient Egyptian.
[2] Kerben: Breasted concurs with Brugsch that Kerben was probably near modern Abukir (Greek Heracleum)
[3] the great river: the easternmost (Canopic) branch of the Nile.
[4] Egwowe: According to Brugsch possibly Canopus.
[5] house of Amon: temple of Amen.

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